Boulevardia: Live Art, Music, Beer, and Bacon

A heartfelt appreciation goes to our guest contributor, Alyson Copp, for her insights on Boulevardia for OurKidsMom.

Many thanks to Farmland Foods for facilitating today’s discussion. All views expressed are solely ours.

Kansas City is a vibrant hub with a blend of distinct offerings, prominently featuring its renowned beer, barbecue, and music culture. Boulevardia is an annual festival that originated from the local Boulevard Brewing Company. This year’s second edition took place in the West Bottoms of Kansas City, beneath the 12th St. bridge, during the weekend of June 19-21. Ticket prices are very reasonable, starting at just $15 per attendee. Since its inauguration in 2014, Boulevardia has transformed into a highly anticipated event, eagerly awaited by many.

Upon entering, the first attraction that caught my gaze was the live art exhibition sponsored by Farmland. As a significant supporter of this year’s Boulevardia, Farmland facilitated two major activities, one being the live creation of a mural inspired by Kansas City and Farmland.

Beginning at 11:00 A.M. on June 20th, local artists embarked on painting a mural that would evolve throughout the day. The completed artwork represented Kansas City and highlighted its notable features, including the iconic skyline, the rolling hills of Missouri, a neon-lit Boulevardia sign, and prominently featured the beloved Farmland brand atop a skyscraper.

After witnessing the initial stages of the mural, I ventured through the underpass of the 12th street bridge, where live performances captivated the audience with a variety of acts, including jugglers and musicians playing on steel drums. Attendees were provided with plenty of fans and refreshments to stay cool in the heat of Missouri’s summer.

Just beyond the bridge lay the Makers Market, which was next on my itinerary. The Makers Market, set under a spacious tent, was a paradise for those who relish flea markets and crafty pursuits. The tent was adorned with numerous stalls featuring local artisans and vendors offering unique goods, from handmade clay mugs to vintage-inspired prints. A variety of Boulevardia merchandise was also available, including mugs, t-shirts, posters, coasters, and more. I even crafted my own keychain using a bottle cap from Boulevard Brewing Company!

After exploring the eclectic array of stalls, I made my way to the much-anticipated Farmland bacon eating contest. Nine enthusiastic contestants, both men and women selected from sign-ups on the Farmland Bacon Club website, took to the main stage wearing Farmland sweatbands and caps with “Bacon Lover” emblazoned on them.

These daring participants were presented with half a pound of bacon (a total of 30 pieces) and competed to see who could finish first. Each contestant also received two bottles of water to assist in the bacon challenge.

(photo credit: Mommity.com)

After an intense three minutes of rapid eating, our very own Joshua Smith (Heather’s son) claimed victory in the 2015 Farmland Bacon Eating Contest!

Once the excitement of the competition subsided, I took some time to explore the local antique shops in the West Bottoms, sampled delicious offerings from various food trucks, and contemplated facing my fear by riding the Ferris Wheel, all before wrapping up a delightful day.

I’m eagerly looking forward to next year’s Boulevardia and cannot wait to see how it continues to evolve!