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Staycation in Kansas City: Celebrate Harry Truman's birthday in Independence, Missouri
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Harry Truman celebrates his 125th birthday, courtesy of Janeen Aggen, Independence Tourism
“The buck stops here”—a famous quote of our thirty-third US President., rings more true than ever today. For many Americans, including a good number of Kansas Citians, the bucks have stopped flowing. It’s time to rein in our spending. Many of us have been devastated by job downsizings, and the loss of retirement funds. Life has become harder. Harry Truman was no stranger to hard times, either. When Truman became President in 1945 amid the development of the atomic bomb and other wartime problems, he said, “I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me.” Many Americans share that exact same feeling today.
Staycation
The recession has made many of us feel the need to pull in our horns and stay close to the homestead. But even when times are tough and money is scarce, your mind may still be screaming for a change of scene. That’s when it’s time to indulge in a staycation—not to lounge around your house in your pajamas, obsessively reading the financial section of the newspaper and weeping, but to get out and explore new and interesting places and events right in your own backyard.
Just wild about Harry
Why not celebrate Harry Truman’s 125th birthday in Independence, Missouri this month? Harry certainly knew the value of a dollar, and on Saturday, May 2, tourism sites will offer dollar admission all day long. Participating sites include: Truman Library & Museum, Truman Home Historic Site, Bingham-Waggoner estate, Vaile Mansion, 1859 Jail & Marshal’s Home, National Frontier Trails Museum, Chicago & Alton Depot, and Puppetry Arts Institute. Free sites include the Community of Christ Temple & Auditorium, Mormon Visitors Center, Trinity Episcopal Church (which offers free tours from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.), and Chicago & Alton Depot (where donations are welcome).
I love a parade
Truman’s roots were in farming, and the Dream Factory Tractor Parade will honor him with a caravan of 150-200 tractors. They will converge on the Square beginning from 6-7 a.m., and will remain parked on display until 10 a.m.
Trolley tour
Catch a one dollar trolley ride at Liberty and Maple from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The trolley will run a continuous circle from the Square to all participating sites (except for the Puppetry Arts Institute).
Strike up the band
The Lavaca Arkansas High School Band will perform at Maple and Liberty from 10:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. And, when the music’s over, Harry himself (or a strikingly good imitation!) will serve free birthday cake from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
More fun on the Square
The Maple & Liberty parking lot will be overflowing with herbs, flowers, and other plants from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. for the annual Farm & Flower Show. Children’s activities (including face-painting) and kettle corn for sale will also be available around the Square. And covered wagon rides will be available throughout the day. So bring the kids for a real homespun celebration!
The party continues
On Friday, May 8, the Truman Library & Museum will have a ribbon-cutting for the new exhibit gallery, “Truman’s Working Office.” Local radio legend Walt Bodine will broadcast from the library. A new photo exhibit, “Truman 125: A Life in Photographs,” will also debut that day.
Happy Birthday, Harry!
On Saturday, May 9, the Truman Library will host a public wreath-laying ceremony on the Truman graves at 9 a.m., serve slices of a 125-long birthday cake, and present an original Truman puppet show, entitled “Happy Birthday, Harry.” The show was created by Joann McMillan of the Puppetry Arts Institute, and presents a whimsical look back at Harry’s childhood. Your kids will enjoy it so much that they won’t realize that they’re learning history.
Admission to the Truman Library on both Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9, will be only $1.25. How’s that for a recession-buster?
Author’s Note: This is the first in a series about Staycations in Kansas City. Stay tuned for more ways to have fun on a budget in (or very near) your own hometown, including dining at Em Chamas, riding coasters at Worlds of Fun, and touring The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition.
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