Experience Guides

Welcome to Kansas City and the 46th KMK Family Reunion! Thursday is a relaxed day for arrivals, check-in, and casual fun as we reconnect and settle in.

📍 Host Hotel

Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City
3200 North Ameristar Drive, Kansas City, MO 64161
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
Visit the hotel front desk to receive your room keys.

🎁 KMK Check-In & Swag Bag Pickup

Stop by the Hospitality Room (The Falcon Room) to check in for the reunion. Pick up your official KMK Family swag bag, including your T-shirt, itinerary, and welcome treats.

🧩 Game Corner in Hospitality Room

After settling in, join us in the Hospitality Room to unwind, catch up, and enjoy classic games! Open from 4:00 PM–9:00 PM (and open daily throughout the reunion weekend).

🎲 Available Games: Spades, Dominoes, Bingo, Jenga, Uno, Checkers, Puzzles, and more.

📸 Optional Activities

While Thursday is freeform, here are a few ideas if you arrive early and want to explore:
• 🎨 Crown Center Shopping & Attractions – See Crown Center Experience Guide
• 🥂 Explore the Ameristar Hotel & Casino's food and entertainment
• 🍽️ Group Dinner Meetups (info may be announced in group chat)

💡 Reminders

Be sure to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest—Friday and Saturday will be full days!
• If you’d like to volunteer for check-in, swag bag handouts, or game night set-up, please let the committee know.
• Got questions? Call or text [ ]

Start Your Day Strong: Movement, Motivation & Family Vibes

Jumpstart your morning with light workouts and wellness activities designed to energize your body and mind! These sessions are open to all fitness levels and are a fun way to connect with family while doing something good for yourself.

📍 Meet in: Hotel / Room 1107
📆 Dates: Friday, July 4 & Saturday, July 5, 2025
🕗 Time: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

🧘 What to Expect

• Guided stretching and warm-up
• Light cardio or other (Carolyn will explain)
• Cool-down & hydration

Led by Carolyn King. Music, water, and good energy provided!

✅ What to Bring/Wear

• Comfortable workout clothes and athletic shoes
• Towel and water bottle
• A positive attitude—this is for fun!

📋 Sign-Up Encouraged

Help us plan for space and supplies!
Use the sign-up sheet at check-in or text [Fitness Lead Contact Name + Number] with your name and which days you're attending.

🧠 Why It Matters

• Releases stress
• Increases energy for the day
• Brings us together in a healthy, encouraging way
• Great for all ages!

💙 Let’s stretch, sweat, and smile together. Come solo or bring the whole crew—we’ll see you bright and early!

Where Culture, Jazz & Baseball Come Alive

Step into the soul of Kansas City with the KMK Family Reunion’s cultural day at 18th & Vine—the heartbeat of Black history, jazz, and baseball greatness. From morning tours to evening fireworks, this day is packed with heritage, flavor, and fun for the whole family.

📍 Location:
18th & Vine Historic District
Kansas City, MO 64108

🕐 Morning Meet-Up:
Meet in the hotel lobby at 9:45-10am for transportation or drive yourself and meet us there. Group tours start mid-morning.

⚾ Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM)

Discover the powerful legacy of Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige, Buck O’Neil, and countless others who changed the game and history itself.

Highlights include:
• Interactive exhibits
• Player stories and memorabilia
• A recreated mini baseball stadium
• Stories of perseverance during segregation

🎟️ Admission: $12 per person
Group rate available if we pay together — please coordinate with the Activities Committee. Must show up/enter at the same time to get the group rate.

💵 Pay via CashApp/Venmo at venue (details to be provided).

🛍️ Local Sights, Shops & Stops

Make the most of your time in the district:
• Jazz District Visitor Center & Gift Shop – Local books, T-shirts, vinyl & memorabilia
• Charlie Parker Memorial – Take a photo with the iconic Bird statue
• Murals & Public Art – A perfect backdrop for family photos and social media
• Street Vendors – Enjoy handmade goods, art, and small bites (availability may vary)

🍗 After the Tour: Family Cookout

Following the morning museum visit, we’ll head back to the hotel for the official KMK Family Cookout, featuring food catered by Char Bar BBQ, games, and fellowship.

⏰ Cookout Start Time: [Insert Time]
📍 William E Macken Park – Shelter 6

🎆 Optional Evening Activity: Holiday Celebration in the Park

That evening, you’re invited to experience one of KC’s most celebrated events:

Holiday Celebration in the Park
🕔 Time: 5:00–10:00 PM
📍 Location: The Great Lawn, behind the American Jazz Museum
🎤 Live Performances by:

Blair Bryant & The B2 Experience
Pablo Sanhueza & The KC Latin Jazz Orchestra
B Side Band & The Bloodstone Experience

🌭 Food trucks and vendors available throughout the night
🎇 Fireworks begin at 9:40 PM (visible across the city)

🪑 Bring a lawn chair or blanket
🚌 Shuttles run from Gregg/Klice Community Center & Manual Tech Center (4–10 PM)

This is a free, open-air event—feel free to go as a group or with your own crew. Let the night be what you make it!

💡 Tips for the Day

✅ Wear comfy shoes for walking and museum tours
✅ Have cash or a card for food vendors and shops
✅ Dress for the weather—sun in the day, light jacket for evening
✅ Fireworks can be seen city-wide if you prefer a different view

Let us know if you plan to attend both events or just one—this helps us plan transportation and group coordination!

Your Day of Fun, Food & Family in the Heart of Kansas City

Welcome to Crown Center—your go-to destination for family-friendly fun, food, and discovery during the KMK Family Reunion!

Just a short drive from our home base at Ameristar Hotel, we’ll be providing transportation to and from Crown Center. If you prefer to drive yourself, feel free to meet us there—plenty of parking and easy access!

Crown Center is a vibrant, all-in-one hub packed with museums, shops, restaurants, and attractions. Whether you’re shopping, sightseeing, snacking, or simply soaking it all in, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy. A suggested timeline and meetup points will be shared closer to the event. Stay tuned!

📍 Crown Center
2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108

What to Do Nearby (All Walkable!)

Our only scheduled group activity for the day is the Museum of Barbecue Experience—a one-of-a-kind walkthrough of KC’s legendary BBQ history. If you selected the tour + sampler, make sure you grab your ticket early!

Feel free to enjoy these other fantastic attractions nearby:

🧱 LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Perfect for kids with big imaginations—build, ride, and play!

🐠 SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium
Meet over 5,000 sea creatures and stroll through a walk-through tunnel under stingrays and sharks.

🎨 Kaleidoscope by Hallmark
A free hands-on art studio where kids create with colorful scraps and imagination.

🚂 Union Station
KC’s iconic train station featuring:
• Science City – an interactive children’s museum
• Planetarium – space-themed shows
• Touring Exhibits & Movie Theater
• Amtrak Access

🎖️ National WWI Museum & Memorial (just a short stroll south)
Explore the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to the Great War, with epic views from the memorial tower.

🍖 Museum of Barbecue (Group Tour)
Celebrate KC’s BBQ roots through stories, artifacts, and smells of greatness! Upgrade your experience with the BBQ Sampler Platter provided by our local partner, Burnt Ends BBQ.

🛍️ Where to Shop

Crown Center Mall features 60+ unique stores for all ages and interests:
• 🛍️ Best of Kansas City – Local gifts, BBQ sauce, and KC pride
• 🖌️ Crayola Store – Bright, creative fun for the kids
• 🫖 Shang Tea – Award-winning loose-leaf teas and ceramics
• 👗 Halls Kansas City – Upscale fashion, accessories, and home goods

🍽️ Where to Eat

Hungry between stops? Try one of these tasty local favorites:
• 🚂 Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant – Meals delivered by model train
• 🍕 SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza – Fresh, artisan-style pies
• 🌮 Sheridan’s Unforked – Locally sourced tacos, burgers, and more
• 🍻 One East Urban Bar & Kitchen – Craft brews + elevated fare

💡 Tips for the Day

✅ Wear comfy shoes—lots to explore on foot
✅ Free streetcars run near Union Station
✅ Most venues open between 10 AM–6 PM (check websites for tickets)

Let us know if you need help getting there or choosing what to explore—we’re here to make your day unforgettable!