September 2024. 

Raytown’s Festival of the Trails Commemorates Pioneer Heritage

Raytown’s Festival of the Trails will step off on its fourth annual observance Saturday, Sept. 14. The event commemorates the three westward pioneer trails that wound through the area that became the Raytown community: the Sante Fe, Oregon and California Trails.

Much of the activities will take place at the Rice-Tremonti Home, 8801 E. 66th St., 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Admission to the site is free, but donations are appreciated. A full day of family fun is planned with games and crafts for the kids, tours of the historic home, and a huge craft fair on the grounds. Free parking is provided at the Sutherlands store, 6709 Blue Ridge Blvd.

Historical interpreters will represent the Buffalo Soldiers, the African-American cavalry units of the 19th century. In addition, Sophia White, an enslaved woman, whose cabin still stands on the property, will be portrayed in the cabin. The Missouri Free Trappers will be camped on site in their distinctive tepees. The Windy Hollow Historical Band will perform. Food trucks will be present, and the Friends of the Rice-Tremonti Home will hold a bake- and ice cream sale and will conduct tours of the historic 1844 home.

Activities are also scheduled at Abiding Faith Church, 6700 Raytown Rd., where the Buffalo Soldiers will provide interpretations beginning at 5 p.m.
Raytown’s Greenspace, 10009 E. 62nd St., will come to life at 7 p.m. for live music by Lucidity, with food offerings and kids’ games until 9 p.m.

Raytown’s 4th annual Festival of the Trails is supported by the Raytown Parks and Recreation Department, Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce, and the organizations mentioned above. For more details go to Raytown’s Festival of the Trails Facebook page or send an email to the Parks Department at davet@raytownparks.com. For information on renting a booth for the craft fair call Carla Coldwell at 816-729-0890.

For more information contact Leigh Elmore, leighroi333@gmail.com, 816-510-8179.