Vegetables, Culture and Graffiti

First stop was the City Market which is in downtown Kansas City between the financial area and the river. Since its began in 1857, the  City Market continues to be one of the largest and most enduring public farmers' markets in the Midwest. In addition, there are more than 40 full-time tenants that are open year round and offering an eclectic mix of independently owned shops and dining. There are 3 long "barns" where farmers sell their product plus the plaza is surrounded with more booths, restaurants, etc. As with the Overland Park market, vendors must display a sign indication where the product if "farm grown or warehouse". Any craft or flower booths must all be hand made.  We stopped at a booth selling purses and got into a conversation with the lady who runs the booth.  She said the "Market Master" visits her house once a year to assure that she is actually making the products she is selling.  She said that last year 6 vendors lost their license because they were representing "home made or home grown" and they were actually buying the product. Yes, we contributed to the economy at her booth by purchasing a purse each that is EXACTLY like a Vera Bradley purse we live but about 1/3 the cost. It took about 30 minutes to get down there so I wouldn't do it every weekend but it would be fun to go to once in awhile.
We drove down to the Riverfront Park what was close by the City Market and is along the banks of the Missouri River. Riverfront Park was opened to the public in March 1999. The 17-acre park is located on the south bank of the Missouri River between the Kit Bond Bridge and Heart of America Bridge. The park area was once a landfill for construction debris and the former site of a sand and gravel company. The park area now consists of more than 300 trees, a small natural amphitheater and a nearly one-mile long concrete walkway with period lighting. While there, I saw the first graffiti I have seen since I have been in Kansas City and it was only on one short wall in the park.
We headed back  home by driving through the downtown area and saw a sign for the Kauffman Performing

Arts Center so stopped there. In 1999, the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation purchased an 18.5-acre plot of land just south of the downtown business district. The Foundation announced that this site would be the home of the proposed performing arts center. Ground was broken on  October 6, 2006 and opened Sept 16, 2011. The 285,000-square foot houses two sophisticated performance halls.  One is for plays, ballet, etc and one is for the symphony. There was a tour being held for a couples 50th Wedding Anniversary so we kinda sneaked into the performing halls after they moved on but before they locked the doors.  Both halls are beautiful beyond belief and the architecture is really amazing.
We got home 30 minutes before a severe thunderstorm hit with up to 60 MPH winds and some of the hardest rain I have seen in a long time.  Morris hid out under the table.......