A mythical Phoenix rising from flames to greet guests on July 13. | Photo by Dorri Partain
A mythical Phoenix rising from flames to greet guests on July 13. | Photo by Dorri Partain

Dorri Partain

Managing Editor

The east lawn on the Museum Of Kansas City (3218 Gladstone Blvd.) was filled with magical creatures on Sunday, July 13, as young fairies flitted to activities and interacted with puppets created by StoneLion Puppet Theater.

This Pay-What-You-Like event was developed as a partnership between the Museum and StoneLion to celebrate the museum’s 85th anniversary. The vagaries of summer weather postponed this event from June 29, and still, a scattered rain shower during Sunday’s event sent puppeteers scrambling to quickly cover a fire-breathing dragon from damaging raindrops.

A green-haired troll puppeteers StoneLion’s fire-breathing dragon. | Photo by Dorri Partain


Activities for guests to this inaugural Magical Garden Party included face painting, magic wand crafting and fairy crown making. Families were encouraged to bring chairs and blankets and relax on the Museum lawn, while fairies danced amid bubbles floating skyward.

An ancient pot of magic wands await decorations. | Photo by Dorri Partain
Each guest was encouraged to add flowers and ribbons to create a fairy crown. | Photo by Dorri Partain

Armed with magic wands and adorned with fairy crowns, youngsters raced about the lawn as one fairy suggested to her friend, “Let’s go back (in time) to when the dinosaurs were around!”

Paul Gutierrez, deputy director of visitor experiences and public engagement for the Museum, said nearly 200 hundred party guests were anticipated during Sunday’s three-hour event.

The Museum of Kansas City hosts a variety of free and ticketed events throughout the year. Visit www.museumofkansascity.org for a complete list of upcoming events.

StoneLion founder Heather Lowenstein interacts with a young guest during the Magical Garden Party, Sunday. | Photo by Dorri Partain