Westport’s Roots

Before there was a Kansas City, there was the town of West Port. Founded 175 years ago at the junction of the Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails, West Port was indeed a portal to the West — a place for pioneers to load up their covered wagons with supplies before venturing farther.From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m today, Westport celebrates its birthday with a free, family-friendly look through history that takes place at seven venues around the neighborhood. Activities include a Santa Fe Trail dedication, a prairie cooking demonstration, the Missouri Town dancers, tours of the historic Nathan Scarritt home, covered-wagon rides and re-enactments of the Border War and Order Number 11 . Kids can get into the spirit of the day at a frontier arts-and-crafts workshop. “We wanted to highlight the one thing that still makes Westport wonderful — its walka-bility,” says Jamie Rich, one of the organizers. For more information, see westport175.com.

Sat., Oct. 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 2008