Blue River Discovery Days

Let’s celebrate Kansas City’s largest and most populated watershed!

What is Blue River Discovery Days?

Blue River Discovery Days is an annual awareness and fundraising campaign organized by Heartland Conservation Alliance that celebrates Kansas City’s Blue River, the largest watershed in Kansas City. Typically scheduled during the fall, the awareness campaign kicks off with engaging and interactive media promotions and/or small events that culminates in a free, family-friendly celebratory festival filled with nature-based activities in and along the Blue River. We welcome anyone with an interest in nature to attend!

Pre-Festival Events

For the first time ever, we have events that lead up to the Blue River Discovery Days festival! These free, family-friendly events highlight and appreciate the Blue River by offering educational and interactive nature-based activities!

Click graphic to learn more and register!

The Festival

The Blue River Discovery Days festival is a free family-friendly one-day annual fall event that first began in 2023 to highlight and appreciate the Blue River by offering educational and interactive nature-based activities, including but not limited to guided hikes, kayaking, river-side yoga, macroinvertebrate sampling, and more!

Festival details and registration for our 3rd annual Blue River Discovery Days Festival are below!

2025 Festival Details

Date: Saturday, October 11th, 2025

Time: 9 AM – 1 PM

Location: Minor Park (picnic area near the tennis courts and the Blue River Parkway Trailhead)

11477 Blue River Rd, Kansas City, MO 64137

Registration: Registration page is linked here!

What to bring: Your water bottle and an excitement for exploring nature!

Campaign Promotion and Festival Attendance

Follow us on social media for the latest details on the Blue River Discovery Days awareness and fundraising campaign, which includes:

Blue River facts and interesting tidbits
Festival details and updates
Opportunities to participate in our Blue River social media fundraiser

At the free Festival:

Sign-in at the HCA table to be automatically entered into the HCA swag door prize drawing
With a donation, you can snag a limited edition The Heart of KC Runs Blue merchandise, beautifully designed by our own in-house artist and Conservation Land Steward, Christian Holderby.

Funds raised from #BlueRiverDiscoveryDays sponsorships and donations directly support our mission to protect and restore the Blue River, while also enhancing our Blue River Nature Guide program.

Festival FAQs

What is the target age range?

People of all ages are welcome with several activities specially geared towards families!

Is there a fee for attending?

No, the festival is free for all. Although donations at the festival, via our website, or through our social media fundraiser are always welcome and appreciated!

Do I need to register to attend?

While registration is not required, it is highly encouraged and appreciated for planning purposes. Registration is free with an option to donate.

Are there restrooms on site?

Restrooms onsite may be closed for the season. Please plan accordingly.

Is this festival suitable for families?

Yes! However, not all areas are stroller friendly.

Do I need to arrive when the festival starts and stay until it ends?

No. You are welcome to come for the day or for whatever time suits your schedule. Most guided activities will start on the hour but there will be other activities that are continuous throughout the day. Please see our schedule of events for more details.

What are the parking options?

There is free parking available in the circular parking lot near the tennis courts.

What should I wear?

Please wear weather appropriate clothing and shoes that are comfortable for walking and being in nature that you don’t mind getting dirty or possibly wet.

Will the festival be held in case of bad weather?

In the event of inclement weather, please check our website and social media for real-time updates regarding the status of the festival.

Is there an event hashtag or social media page for updates and networking?

Yes, we will be using the hashtag #BlueRiverDiscoveryDays and #RenewTheBlue when posting about the campaign and festival!

Can’t make it to the festival but want to support our mission?

You can contribute to our conservation initiatives and free nature-based programming by making a donation. Stay connected by signing up for our newsletter for the latest updates, and check out our calendar to explore upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.