SantaCaliGon Days is celebrating 50 years in Independence. What to do at this year’s festival
Labor Day weekend is filled with festivities around Kansas City, including Independence’s annual SantaCaliGon Days Festival. The schedule is jam-packed with music, live entertainment and more.
The festival kicks off Thursday with a carnival featuring classic rides such as carousels and Ferris wheels. The rest of the fest opens on Friday and runs until Monday. A wristband to ride the carnival rides costs money, but admission to the festival is free.
WHAT DOES SANTACALIGON MEAN?
The name comes from the starting point of the Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails, all of which began in Independence.
The festival used to be called Three Trail Days to honor all the trails that started in the city, but it was renamed in 1974 by Velma Katschkowsky in a contest.
Main Street 1849, a family-friendly pioneer party, celebrates the roots of SantaCaliGon days and Independence.
The unique heritage of the city is on full display, where you’ll be able to see and interact with Independence’s history with these activities:
Rope-making
Keck’s root beer
Jack’s kettle corn
Pioneer crafts
One-room schoolhouse
Gold panning
Old-fashioned toys
Pioneer games
Pioneer skills
Pioneer living cabin
Mercantile
Unique photo opportunities
Main Street 1849 is open at these times during the festival:
Friday: Friday: noon to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHO’S PERFORMING?
SantaCaliGon Days has two stages: the main stage for national acts, and the community stage for local talent.
The main stage features these performers:
Friday
Carl Worden: 6 p.m.
Stone Senate: 7:30 p.m.
Little Texas: 9:30 p.m.
Saturday
Michelle Hawkins Last Kiss: 6 p.m.
Red Clay Strays: 7:30 p.m.
Lonestar: 9:30 p.m.
Sunday
Steve Miller Experience, a Steve Miller tribute band: 3:15 p.m.
Runnin With The Pack, a Bad Company tribute band: 5 p.m.
Rock and Roll Never Forgets, a Bob Seger tribute band: 7 p.m.
The Rock Gods: a tribute to rock and roll’s most iconic stars: 9 p.m.
On the community stage, you’ll see these performers across three days:
Friday
Soulshine: 5:30 p.m.
The Trace: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Claudia’s School of Dance: 10 a.m.
Studio 3V Dance Center: noon
Josiah Richardson: 1 p.m.
Sequoia Newland: 2:30 p.m.
Retroactive: 4:30 p.m.
The Bucket Band: 7:30 p.m.
Sunday
Ice cream eating contest: noon
Root beer chugging contest: 1 p.m.
Veterans pinning ceremony: 2 p.m.
Derick Pierre and Friends: 3:30 p.m.
Mark Doty and The Cause: 5:30 p.m.
Brand X: 7:30 p.m.
Monday
Kona Winds Entertainment: 10 a.m.
High school robotics competition: 11 a.m.
School of Rock: 12:30 p.m.
Chapel Hill Rebellion: 2 p.m.
DO I NEED TICKETS?
Since the festival is free, you won’t need tickets to enter and enjoy the entertainment. However you will need tickets to go into the carnival section. Those cost $25 for advance sales and $35 at the door each day.
WHEN IS THE FESTIVAL?
Carnival hours
Thursday: 5 p.m. to midnight
Friday: noon to midnight
Saturday: 10 a.m. to midnight
Sunday: 10 a.m. to midnight
Monday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Festival hours
Friday: noon to 11 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Monday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FOOD AND SHOPPING
There are over 200 vendors on site throughout the festival, selling food, beverages, vintage items, unique clothing and more. Local vendors such as Cafe Verona and Dave’s Deli will have tents.
Mikealene Evans, the director of marketing and commerce with the Independence Chamber of Commerce, said the festival doesn’t encourage people to bring in their own food and drinks, but that people can if they want to.
A map of the vendors and where their tents are located inside the festival is here.
WHERE CAN I PARK?
Parking is free at the Community of Christ Auditorium parking lot, located at 1001 W. Walnut St. Shuttles run from the parking lot to the festival grounds every 15 minutes and it costs $1.
Otherwise, you can find street parking anywhere and walk to the festival.
