‘Thousands of people’ expected at Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s hot dog festival
Bob Kendrick grew up attending baseball games, and nothing was more quintessential to the experience than a hot dog. Wanting to capture that nostalgia, Kendrick, now president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, set out to develop an event centered around baseball, music and of course, the hot dog.
The museum launched the the Heart of America Hot Dog Festival in 2013 but had to take a two-year break during the pandemic. Last year marked the return of the festival, and organizers are expecting this fundraiser for the museum will be one of its biggest years yet.
“I call the Negro League Baseball Museum Kansas City’s gift to the rest of the world because nobody else has a national tribute to the Negro Leagues,” says Kendrick. “I came up with this idea that maybe it would be fun to do a festival celebrating the historical connection between the game and the hot dog and thus the Heart of America Hot dog festival was born.”
The event runs from 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug 5, at the museum, 1616 E. 18th St., with a stage at the median on The Paseo near East Truman Road.
“We are expecting thousands of people to make their way down to historic 18th and Vine and eat hot dogs and enjoy some great live entertainment,” he says.
This year, in addition to an extensive selection of hot dogs, nachos, funnel cakes and other ballpark food, attendees will also have access to the museum, gaming activities for kids, sports mascots Sluggerrr and KC Wolf, along with a lineup of music acts.
Entertainment will include a concert featuring Dru Hill, Con Funk Shun and the SOS Band among others in a blend of musical styles, such as soul, funk and jazz.
A hallmark of the festival is the unveiling of a new signature hot dog themed around a Negro Leagues team or player. This year the museum and event sponsor Hy-Vee will introduce “The Memphis Red Sox” to pay homage to the team, which was the starting point for the career of KC legend Buck O’Neil.
“This celebrates Buck’s Memphis roots. A lot of people don’t know that Buck O’Neil’s career began in 1937 with the Memphis Red Sox,” says Kendrick. “Everyone affiliates him with his tenure with the Kansas City Monarchs.”
The menu addition is a jumbo beef hot dog grilled and topped with bacon, scallions, Vermont yellow cheese and drizzled with BBQ sauce.
Kendrick is pleased with the success he has seen from the event over the years.
“You know you have done something right when people are leaving the festival and asking how you will top it next year,” says Kendrick. “To see the excitement on the faces of the people who come to this festival is what makes it worthwhile.”
Advance general admission tickets are $35 online until Aug. 4. General admission at the door is $50 for adults and $10 for children. Tickets cover access to the museum and activities but not food. For ticket information, visit nlbm.com.
