The Independence Square

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

The weekend is here. Let’s take a look at what’s happening…👀

🎥 Friday night kicks off free Classic Movie Night under the stars at the Pharaoh. Bring a chair and catch Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in “Casablanca”. Or catch the latest blockbuster inside such as Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” which opens today.

⚽️ Saturday kicks off Soccer Saturday at the Farmers Market from 6pm - 10pm in collab with Independence Parks & Rec. It’s our way of celebrating the world’s largest soccer event with games, food trucks, giant TVs and more. And it’s live music on the patio at Courthouse Exchange at 7pm.

🥕🚗 Saturday is also the Farmers Market from 8am - 1pm, the Veterans Community Project Car Show starting at 19am and “Death of a Jailer” at the 1859 Jail Museum.

Plus, Sunday Summer Hours are here where over 20+ businesses are open for your to shop, eat and play.

Come check out the historic Independence downtown this weekend!

06/12/2026

Celebrate World Cup excitement, fresh market finds, and beauty in nature with your Independence Parks and Rec team. 👇Check out the lineup for Saturday's events!

🍅Farmers Market
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Uptown Market | 211 W. Truman Rd.

🌷Leaf and Flower Pressing Workshop
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
$12 per person
George Owens Nature Park | 1601 S. Speck Rd.

⚽Fun with Fútbol
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Free event featuring a soccer obstacle course, victory dance competition, the Kansas City Comets, and more!
Hill Park | 2201 S. Maywood Ave.

⚽Soccer Saturdays
6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Check out the free event co-hosted by our team and The Independence Square! You can watch World Cup games and have fun playing yard games all in one spot!
Uptown Market | 211 W. Truman Rd.

06/11/2026

Join us for the annual Wine, Brew, & Spirits Too! event on the historic Independence Square Friday, June 26 from 5-9PM. It’s a perfect way to explore downtown while sampling beverages with your friends.

What else awaits you?
🍴Lots of food choices from Chamber Food Truck Friday to the patios at Courthouse Exchange or Cafe Verona.
🎥 Classic Movie Night showing of “Bottle Shock”. New this year is a free outdoor movie to wrap up the night. Bring your lawn chair and claim a spot to catch the flick.
🎶 Live music with KIAN BYRNE MUSIC PAGE Between the Bricks at Courthouse Exchange.
And more…

Get tix here: https://tinyurl.com/ybvwvdex

06/11/2026

It’s been years in the making. Today, North America welcomes the world and soccer fans rejoice! 🌎⚽️

Games start at 2PM and you can catch them here…

⚽️ Big John’s Corner Bar
⚽️ Courthouse Exchange
⚽️ Diamond Bowl
⚽️ El Pico
⚽️ The Sentinel Room
⚽️ Wild About Harry

06/09/2026

We are proud to share our non-profit organization, The Independence Square Association (ISA), is a designated Main Street America program. To learn more about this program, we encourage you to take a moment to read this article from Main Street America.

"Main Street America is excited to announce 1,291 organizations as 2026 nationally designated Main Street America programs for their commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Additionally, in 2025, Main Street America programs generated an impressive economic impact, including more than 6,900 new businesses, 10,623 historic buildings rehabilitated, and a record-breaking $9.4 billion in local reinvestment."

Main Street America is excited to announce 1,291 organizations as 2026 nationally designated Main Street America programs for their commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.

06/08/2026

Whacha’ doing Wednesday? Come out for Wednesday Farmers Market at the Uptown Market from 4-8PM. 🥦

Then catch a showing of “Jaws” during Retro Night at The Pharaoh. Meet author & film critic Michael Smith and stay for a Q&A. Tix only $6.

🛍️🍽️🍷Or do some shopping, meet friends for a drink, or enjoy one of our many restaurants.

We’ll see you Wednesday Nights this summer on the historic square district.

06/07/2026

📣 6 more small businesses are now open on Sunday. That’s 21 places for you to shop, play, eat in Historic Downtown Independence. 🛍️🍿🍽️

Let’s count ‘em…
1. Ophelia’s restaurant
2. Mixed Wildflower & Co
3. Mixed Mutt & Co
4. The Littlest Library
5. Clinton’s Soda Fountain
6. Game Cafe
7. Diamond Bowl
8. Studio on Main
9. On the Square Convenience
10. Coffee Elsewhere
11. The Pharaoh Cinema
12. Square Pizza
13. Main Street Coffee
14. Cafe Verona
15. Harry S. Truman Natl. Park Service
16. Wild About Harry
17. Be Here Now
18. Pickens Sweet Treats
19. Gilbert Whitney
20. Courthouse Exchange
21. Up Dog

Because operating hours are unique to each business, it is always recommended to verify schedules online before you head out to avoid an unexpected trip.

06/06/2026

You’ve been asking about the summer movies list. Well, here it is AND we’re excited to announce a new addition to the lineup - Wednesday Night Retro Movies!🍿🎥

The Pharaoh Cinema is bringing more movie fun to our community this summer. So, in addition to showing the latest Hollywood blockbusters, you can also watch retro, classic, and family movies. Check it out!

Retro Movie Night presented by The Pharaoh 🎞️
• $6 Retro Movies shown inside the nostalgic Pharaoh Cinema Wednesday nights at 7pm.

June 10 - “Jaws” with special Q&A "JAWS 2: The Making of the Hollywood Sequel," and "FINANTICS - 50 Years of JAWS" author and film critic Michael Smith.
June 17 - “Ferris Bueller's Day Off”
June 24 - “Mission Impossible”
July 1 - “Top Gun”
July 8 - “Raiders of the Lost Ark”
July 15 - “The Cable Guy”
July 22 - “Back to the Future”
July 29 - “Zoolander”

Moonlight Movies presented by The Pharaoh 🌙
• Free outdoor family movies Thursday nights in the Pharaoh Cinema parking lot (114 W. Maple). Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy free family movies under the stars. Come early and enjoy free family activities with the summer interns. Movies start at sundown.

June 11 - “Over the Hedge”
June 18 - “The Croods”
June 25 - “The Wild Robot”
July 2 - “Trolls World Tour” (same night as City of Independence fireworks display)
July 9 - “The Bad Guys”
July 16 - “Abominable”
July 23 - “Dog Man”
July 23 - “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie”
August 6 - “The Boss Baby”

Classic Movie Night presented by The Pharaoh 📽️
• Back for the second year! Enjoy free classic movies under the stars in the Pharaoh Cinema parking lot (114 W. Maple). Bring a lawn chair, pick up something to eat from our many restaurants, and enjoy a classic movie under the stars. Movies start at sundown.

June 12 - “Casablanca”
June 19 - “Sabrina”
June 26 - “Bottle Shock” (Shown in conjunction with the Annual Wine & Brew night/fundraiser for the historic downtown Independence Square.)
July 3 - “Yankee Doodle Dandee”
July 10 - “The Babe Ruth Story”
July 17 - “The Music Man”
July 24 - “Rear Window”
July 31 - “Rebel Without a Cause”
August 7 - “Westside Story”

If you’re a movie lover or looking for free family fun, you belong on the square this summer.

06/05/2026

What is there to do on the square and in our historic district? Let’s see…👀

🗡️ Masters of the Universe opens today June 5 at the Pharaoh and Game Cafe is hosting ticket giveaways!

Feel like taking in a musical? City Theatre’s Guys & Dolls opens this weekend at the Sermon Center. 🎶

🥦 Saturday is Farmers Market at the Uptown Market from 8am - 1pm. It’s also the annual Strawberry Festival at Vaile Mansion just about one mile north on Liberty Street. 🍓

🎼 Saturday is also the Liberty Community Choir free concert at 3pm at Community of Christ Temple.

🎸 Saturday night also kicks off live music on the patio Between the Bricks at Courthouse Exchange.

Stop into the Harry S Truman National Park Service at Truman Road & Main Street and plan your historic sites visit today! 🗓️

Several shops have soccer-themed merch and Father’s Day ideas. So, come check it out. ⚽️👨

And of course, many of your favorite locally owned businesses are now open Sunday for Summer Sunday Hours. ⏰

You belong on the Square!