IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION recognizing the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s Heart of America Hot Dog Festival.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 22375, August 17, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Donna Peyton, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum established the Heart of America Hot Dog Festival in 2013 to celebrate the historic connection between America’s national pastime and the iconic All-American hot dog; and,
WHEREAS, the festival has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated summer traditions, attracting more than 100,000 attendees and featuring specialty hot dogs inspired by the Kansas City Monarchs and other legendary Negro Leagues players and teams, including Bullet Rogan, Martín Dihigo, Roy Campanella, the Chicago American Giants, and Cool Papa Bell; and,
WHEREAS, the Heart of America Hot Dog Festival has continually expanded its offerings to include nationally recognized musical entertainment, showcasing artists such as Morris Day & The Time, WAR, Average White Band, Cameo, Atlantic Starr, Lakeside, Con Funk Shun, the S.O.S. Band, Howard Hewett, and others, creating a dynamic event that merges food, music, culture, and sport; and,
WHEREAS, the festival has become one of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s most impactful community outreach efforts, providing an affordable, family-friendly event that includes food, live entertainment, games, mascots, and educational opportunities that highlight the enduring legacy of the Negro Leagues and Kansas City’s central role in that history; and,
WHEREAS, the Heart of America Hot Dog Festival continues to strengthen community engagement, promote cultural preservation, and celebrate the heritage carried forward by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, a nationally recognized institution located in the heart of Jackson County; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Jackson County Legislature hereby recognizes and commends the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the Heart of America Hot Dog Festival for their ongoing contributions to cultural enrichment, public engagement, and the celebration of Kansas City’s historic connection to Negro Leagues baseball.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 22375 of August 17, 2026, was duly passed on August 17, 2026 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______8__________ Nays ____0_______
Abstaining _____0______ Absent ____1________
______________________ ______________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature