Festival of the Trails returns to Raytown this Sept.

Raytown presents its third annual Festival of the Trails on September 9 with a day of events, local businesses, and food to enjoy. Guests can visit the Rice-Tremonti Home beginning at 10 a.m. and end the night with live music at 6 p.m. in Raytown’s Greenspace downtown. 

The Rice-Tremonti House hosts crafts for children and adults, as well as a bake sale with pies and ice cream. Visitors can eat from the food trucks and purchase items from KC’s Messner Bee Farm. Other displays are available to view, like a wool spinning demonstration and the Windy Hollow Historic Band. While visiting the house, guests learn about Raytown history through historic portrayals. 

During the 1800’s Archibald Rice’s house became a camp for people traveling west to Santa Fe and California. Sophie White lived as a slave in a cabin near the Rice-Tremonti house and appears from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Once Rice passed, he gave the estate to his son, and “Aunt” Sophie made meals for the family and attended the birth of his five children.

The Buffalo Soldiers also visit in uniform at Festival of the Trails from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. During the Civil War, the Buffalo Soldiers composed the first troop of African Americans to fight in the United States. 

Changing locations for the evening, the Levee Town Band performs at 6 p.m. at 10009 Grand St. in downtown Raytown. During the performance, kids games and food are also available for family and friends to enjoy. 

Stay tuned for more information on Raytown’s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. and To view more information about Raytown and more upcoming events, visit their calendar here.