10 fun things to do in and around Kansas City this weekend

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - With fall kicking into full gear, there are plenty of family-friendly fun activities planned this weekend in and around Kansas City.

From pumpkin patches to benefit walks, to a trip back in time to a day at the water park, there’s lots to choose from.

Here’s a list of 10 fun things you and your family can do this weekend. (Find more events/Post your own on our Community Calendar )

- Pumpkin Patch & Witch Corn Maze – Louisburg Cider Mill
It’s not exclusive to this weekend, but the Louisburg Cider Mill is always a fall favorite. The $8 admission gets you access to the corn maze, a hay wagon ride, a kid’s play area and more. Pumpkins are sold separately. More details: http://www.louisburgcidermill.com/?page_id=1707

- Ian's Rainbow Flu Foundation’s “Walking to Flight the Flu” - Macken Park Festival Pavilion
The sixth annual event is Saturday. Registration begins at 10 a.m. at Macken Park, 800 Clark Ferguson Drive, with the walk starting at 11. The family-oriented event includes clowns, face painting and live music. Registration is $25 for the first walker and just $5 for each additional walker, and includes a free t-shirt and lunch. You can register in person the morning of the event or online at www.iansrainbow.org/WalkRegistration.html

- Back in the Swing Retail Therapy – Hawthorne Plaza & Park Place
Just in case you need an excuse to shop, 100 percent of proceeds from select items at select retailers at these two Leawood shopping centers will benefit breast cancer survivors. A Back in the Swing Retail Therapy discount card can be purchased for $25 and will save you up to 20% or more at participating merchants. Details: www.hawthorneplazashopping.com/back-in-the-swing.html

- Free health screenings – KC-area Sam’s Clubs
Staying on the theme of breast cancer (it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, after all), Sam’s Club will be offering free breast self-exam kits along with free health screenings on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The screenings, available to members and non-members, will include thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) screenings to test for potential women's health issues related to thyroid functionality, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screenings to test for signs of prostate cancer in men, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, glucose and vision testing/screenings.

- Rhythm and Ribs fest -- American Jazz Museum
Nothing says Kansas City like blues and barbecue. This two-day event features performances from Brian McKnight, the McFadden Brothers and many more. Musical performances will be held both inside and outside. Ticekts start at $25. Details: http://americanjazzmuseum.org/SiteResources/Data/Templates/t3.asp?docid=716&DocName=Rhythm%20&%20Ribs%20Jazz%20and%20Blues%20Festival

- Big Splash at Great Wolf Lodge
This Saturday and Sunday is your last chance to enjoy the water park at Great Wolf Lodge without actually staying overnight at the hotel. The event benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City. Water park passes can be purchased for $15 at www.bbbskc.org/greatwolflodge or at the BBBS office: 3908 Washington, KC, MO 64111

- Kansas City Renaissance Festival
The six-week long Kansas Renaissance Festival wraps up Sunday, Oct. 14. Located 15 minutes and 500 years west of downtown Kansas City in Bonner Springs, Kan. Details: www.kcrenfest.com/

- Turner Days – Kansas City, Kan.
The two-day event, with proceeds going to benefit breast cancer, kicks off Saturday at 8 a.m. with a 5k Run/Walk, followed by a parade at 10 a.m. dpwm 55tj Street between Turner High School and Inland Road in KCK. Vendors and entertainment will be located Saturday and Sunday at Steineger Fields, behind Turner Middle School. Events include an eating contest, co-rec mud volleyball, children’s games and inflatables and a car show. Details: www.turnerdays.com

- Smithville Octoberfest – Downtown Smithville, Mo.
It’s two days of fall fun in downtown Smithville. Among the activities planned are two stages of entertainment, hog calling, watermelon seed spitting, pedal tractor pull, a pet costume contest and more. A Saturday morning parade is themed as a Salute to the Troops. Details: http://www.smithvillechamber.org/pView.aspx?id=1458&catid=4

- Fall Classic XI – Arrowhead Stadium
Fall and football go hand and hand, and with the Kansas-Missouri rivalry taking at least a break, this year’s biggest college game at Arrowhead Stadium might just be this weekend when two of the most-stored Division II programs go head-to-head. No. 1 Pittsburg State takes on No. 7 Northwest Missouri State. It’s the 11th straight year the rivalry game has been played at the home of the Kansas City Chiefs. Tickets start at $25 and parking is $20. Details: http://www.nwmissouri.edu/sports/football/2012/fallclassic.htm