FAQ
Planning to Attend...
WaterFire KC is Saturday, October 5th, 2019. Pre-show is at 5:30pm with the official lighting ceremony kicking off at 7pm. Live performances will be interspersed all throughout the evening, and we encourage you to stay until 10pm and enjoy the ambiance of WaterFire KC and see the last fire feeding at 10pm.
New this year: WaterFire will be centered on Theis Park at the far end of the mall that stretches south from the Nelson-Atkins Museum. Guests will find the lighted braziers floating on Brush Creek between Oak Street and Rockhill Road. The Theis Park ampitheater that faces the creek makes this a perfect viewing location. All activities will take place on the north side of Brush Creek in the grassy areas of Theis Park. CLICK HERE to jump over to Google Maps for directions.
No, this is a free community event. However we ask that guest consider making a donation to help us keep WaterFire KC running. Also, there will be food trucks and various other vendors on-site. Our Brazier Society tent and boat rides will be available to Brazier Society members only, find out more here!
Any of the grassy areas are available to you, but we ask that you please keep the walkways clear for both your safety and ours. Keep in mind performers will not always be in the same spot, so we recommend that you move throughout the whole event space to get the best experience possible.
Currently, WaterFire KC is the first Saturday in October each year.
Parking will be available at the UMKC Cherry St. Parking Garage, Oak Street, and the Ewing Kauffman Foundation parking lot. ADA accessible parking will be available at the Kauffman Memorial Gardens parking lot.
There are multiple RideKC bus stops within a short walk from WaterFire KC. Please check RideKC's website to plan your trip.
Yes, most of the event area is accessible. There will also be ADA space available.
Leashed pets are welcome to join you at WaterFire KC, provided they are safe and will be comfortable in large crowds. The event space can get crowded, so consider your pet's comfort and temperament. Please bring plastic bags to clean-up after any messes and be careful to monitor your pet as there are not doggie clean up bag dispenser in the area.
At the Event...
Our Brazier Society members get a boat ride along with some other perks, check out more information here. You will also see our dedicated volunteers on boats helping to feed the fires. Check out volunteer information here.
There will be portable facilities available on site.
Missing children should be brought to the main WaterFire KC information tent located at the top of the hill. Parents should report here to reconnect with them.
Tell Me More...
Barnaby Evans originally created WaterFire as an art installation in Providence, Rhode Island in 1994.
As of 2015, WaterFire KC is produced by Kansas City Creates, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation. It has previously been run by the Theater League.
Yes! WaterFire is run completely by some of the most amazing volunteers in the KC area.
You can become a KC Creates volunteer! Check out our volunteer page for more information.
