Missouri Wine and Beer Festival this July Fourth

The Elms Resort & Spa of Excelsior Springs celebrates its 121st anniversary this year. The building has acquired a reputation as the type of place where some guests don’t check out. The resort is proud to share stories of its guests’ experiences at night. Writes one former guest Dianna L. Painter:

During the night I was awakened by two soft voices. I heard them talking and I looked over to the right corner of the room … The man was dressed in a long tail dark coat and the lady had on a long dress, the man was standing behind her clasping a necklace for her. I spoke to them and said “you need to leave now, we occupy this room for the night” and instantly they were gone. I finally drifted back to sleep. When I awoke around 5:30 a.m., I told John, my significant other, what had happened. He laughed and said I had been dreaming … when we were ready to check out and he [John] mentioned it to the desk clerk, the desk clerk said it happens periodically. To this day I can still remember seeing them standing there looking so content together.

In other words, the Elms is a place where history still plays an active role. This weekend, the resort not only concludes its 121-year anniversary party but also hosts the Missouri Wine and Food Festival from noon to 9 p.m. on July 4.

As first reported in our dining newsletter Pitch Forks, the event brings together nearly a dozen local wineries, including St. James, Jowler Creek and Stone Hill, along with music, food from the Elms’ award-winning restaurant and, of course, fireworks. Tickets are $15 in advance online and $20 at the door. Ghosts stories are free.

(Image via Elms Resort & Spa)