The fourth annual Sly’s Rock the Block celebration set for 4-11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, at Union Station promises to be a fun celebration capping another successful year of Club KC and Mayor’s Nights, Mayor Sly James said.
“About 7,000 youth and young adults attended summer programs offered through the mayor’s office,” James said. “The young people of Kansas City have responded positively to the chance to meet, greet, dance, socialize, play sports, attend arts and other fun events, and just hang out and have fun.”
Thousands are expected at the free Rock the Block party on the plaza on the south side of Union Station and on Pershing Road. The free event, produced in cooperation with the Parks and Recreation Department, will feature family-friendly activities from 4-8 p.m. and fashion show and dance party for older teens from 8-11 p.m.
Hot dogs, chips, drinks are available to the first 2,000 attendees beginning at 4 p.m.
Presentations hosted by popular disc jockeys and Hot 103 Jamz radio personalities (Julee Jonez, Playmaker, Bryan B.Shynin’ and Q) include the Royal Diamonds Drill Team; Stage Right Choir; Healthy Hip Hop with Rappin’ Roy and Reggie Reg; El Groupo Atotonilco; Queyonoh, and AY Music.
James, Parks and Recreation Director Mark McHenry and other city leaders will welcome attendees at a program at 5 p.m.
Fun, family-friendly activities include action inflatables, the Zoo Mobile, basketball goals, Arts Tech, origami birds, face painting and more will be available. In the community tent, participants can visit more than a dozen organizations focused on promoting health, education, fitness and safety. Food trucks also will be present, and raffles will be held throughout the evening.
The final Club KC party of the season for middle and high school-age students begins at 8 p.m., with a fashion show hosted by Rue 21, a teenage fashion retailer, featuring community youth as models. The Club KC portion of the evening also includes a dance competition and a DJ battle.
Mayor’s Nights, including basketball, volleyball and soccer for older teens and young adults, began about 20 years ago. Mayor James added Club KC four years ago to provide fun and safe events for teens on weekends.
“In addition to Club KC at our community centers, we’ve added arts and other programs to appeal to the diverse interests of Kansas City teens,” James said. “Activities were suggested by teens themselves, which has been a neat way for kids to start being active in the community.
“Kansas City is getting a national reputation as a fun, engaging place,” James continued. “Club KC and Mayor’s Nights are programs that show that reputation applies to the young citizens who are the future of our city, too.”
