Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum
SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING
Cornsense
Date: Saturday, May 2
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Price: Free
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Family Fun for ALL Ages!
Find out more about the Big Shoal Farm and what goes in to planting, raising, and harvesting the sweet corn later sold at stands around Gladstone MO. A seed planting demo with the tractor is on the schedule.
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Parking available in the lot of The Big Shoal Cemetery 4125 NE 64th
Afternoon Tea
Date: Saturday, May 9
Time: 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Price: $30, pre-registration required.
Registration is open March 23 - May 1
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Just in time for Mother's Day, enjoy an elegant afternoon tea on the grounds of the historic Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum. Bring your hat and enjoy tea, refreshments, and fun. This event includes an assortment of gourmet teas from Anna Marie’s Teas and delicious refreshments from Scrumptious Catering.
Yoga on the Farm
Summer Session: Saturdays, May 30 - July 25,
no class July 4 (8 Weeks)
Fall Session: Saturdays, August 29 - October 3 (6 Weeks)
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Price: $40 summer session, $30 fall session - Registration is open April 20 - May 29/August 28 & Preregistration is required
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Stretch, breathe, and relax with a series of morning yoga classes held outdoors at the beautiful and historic Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum. Classes are moved indoors to the Gladstone Community Center for rain.
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Register at the front desk of the Gladstone Community Center, online, or by phone at (816)423-4200.
Mad Science: Science of Sport
Day Camp
Date: Thursday, June 11
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 6 - 12
Price: $42, pre-registration required.
Registration is open April 27 - June 5
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​​Check out how science has helped us understand sports and performance. Investigate everything from why your toes are important, the role of chemistry in your blood, to the capacity of your lungs. And what’s this? Physics is part of baseball, football and even acrobatics! It’s all about energy transfer, gravity and forces we explore in this full day of fun science. In partnership of the exhibit Sports & Recreation at the Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum.
2026 Special Event Calendar
Cornsense
May 2
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Afternoon Tea
May 9
Storytime on the Farm
June 3
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Yoga on the Farm (Summer)
May 30 - July 25​
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Mad Science: Science of Sport Day Camp
June 11
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Big Shoal Vintage Auto Show
June 13
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Children's Garden Day
July 11
Mad Science: Birds and Beasts Day Camp
July 16
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Storytime on the Farm
July 29
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Sunflower Field Festival
August 15
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Yoga on the Farm (Fall)
August 29 - October 3
Pickin' on the Front Porch
September 5
Big Shoal Country Fair
September 26
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Candlelight Big Shoal Cemetery Tours
October 17
Photos and Cookies with Santa and Mrs. Claus & Holiday Nights
December 5
Big Shoal Vintage Auto Show
Date: Saturday, June 13
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Price: Free
Bring the whole family to the 3rd annual Big Shoal Vintage Auto Show on Saturday, June 13 to see a variety of autos manufactured prior to 1980. Refreshments available for purchase. Hosted by the Friends of the Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum and the Antique Automobile Club – Kansas City Region.​​​​
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Children's Garden Day
Date: Saturday, July 11
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Price: Free
Visit the farm’s heirloom vegetable and herb garden where families learn about gardening and the importance of growing your own food. Free children’s crafts, activities, recipes, and demonstrations will be available, and each child can take home their very own seed starter kit. Garden tours led by experienced master gardeners will be available for visitors.​​​​
Mad Science: Birds and Beasts
Day Camp
Date: Thursday, July 16
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ages: 6 - 12
Price: $42, pre-registration required.
Registration is open April 27 - July 10
Where do owls live and what do they eat? How do some bugs walk on water? These questions and more will be answered with a walk on the wild side of things to explore owls, birds and all kinds of bugs. ​​​​
Sunflower Field Festival
Date: Saturday, August 15
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Price: Free
​Come to the Big Shoal Farm sunflower field to pick your sunflowers and take photos with family and friends. The festival also features an artist fair, free children’s crafts and games, and local food vendors.​​​
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Pickin' on the Front Porch
Date: Saturday, September 5
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Price: Free
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Jam out at the annual Pickin' on the Front Porch concert. Enjoy the music - which is a blend of old-time blues, jazz, and ragtime - with your friends and family. This event welcomes all ages.
Listeners are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket to sit on.
Big Shoal Country Fair
Date: Saturday, September 26
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Price: Free Admission, $10 for Kids Zone Wristband
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The old-fashioned community fair features a vendor fair including a wide variety of crafters, the Big Shoal Farm pumpkin patch, and Kids Zone featuring carnival games, a bounce house, and much more! Hosted by the Friends of the Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum.
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Candlelight Big Shoal
Cemetery Tours
Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Price: $15 per person, pre-registration required
Registration is open September 7 - October 16
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Pick up your lantern and head over to the Big Shoal Cemetery as we learn about Clay County's past! Explores the history of the 195-plus-year-old Big Shoal Cemetery and meet the people buried there including Clay County's earliest settlers, veterans, and colorful characters. This event is not spooky but just plain fun. This is an outdoor walking tour so please wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket.
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Register at the front desk of the Gladstone Community Center, online, or by phone at (816)423-4200.
Photos & Cookies with Santa
& Mrs. Claus
Date: Saturday, December 5
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Price: $15 digital photo, pre-registration is required.
Registration is open October 26 - December 4
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Get your annual photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum in a historic farmhouse decorated for this occasion. Write letters to Santa and enjoy the Holiday Toys exhibit, while you wait to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Don't forget to enjoy a cookie once you've taken your photo.
Hosted by the Friends of the Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum, and with special thanks to the Knights of Columbus.
Holiday Nights
Date: Saturday, December 5
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Price: Free
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Experience the magic of the holidays at the historic Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum. A free night of holiday cheer for the entire family, this event includes live holiday music by the Dicken's Caroler's, holiday crafts for adults and kids alike, a vintage toy display - all in a traditionally decorated farmhouse. Enjoy the crisp night air as you stroll down the holiday luminary trail or enjoy the chestnuts being roasted over an open fire. Children will enjoy the writing station with letters to Santa, vintage Christmas cards, and a special guest appearance from Santa himself!​