Kansas City is celebrating its area code Sunday with district block parties around town.
Why it matters: It’s a free excuse to rep your hometown pride, although the number itself extends well beyond the city proper.
Flashback: The number came first. AT&T established 86 area codes across the country in 1947, and the 816 took the western half of Missouri.
- Even after later splits carved it down, the 816 still reaches 13 Missouri counties and 89 communities, from Adrian an hour south up to St. Joseph and out past Odessa.
Catch up quick: The holiday is much newer. Promoter Brian “Bizzy” Benton, who runs the Facebook group KC Where You At, heard about area code holidays in other cities from a friend and threw the first 816 Day party in 2017 at KC Jukehouse.
- The city made it official a year later, when then-Mayor Sly James signed a resolution.
Here’s where to celebrate around the region, all free.
🎉 Power & Light District
The biggest party of the day, and the closest thing 816 Day has to a main stage. Mayor Quinton Lucas speaks at noon, followed by a “Rep Your District” segment with the City Council.
- Then 816 trivia, the Old School Drill Team, the Back Alley Brass Band and a two-stepping hour.
If you go: The party starts at 11am and ends at 9pm, with a citywide toast at 8:16pm.
🌸 Country Club Plaza
The Plaza is throwing its first 816 Day party this year. Storefronts will host student artwork, with live music and free flower bouquets around the district…