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FROM THE TRIANGLE. DONNA: TRUE STOP A LOSER -- TROO STAPALOOZA AS A BIG MISSION THIS WEEKEND. MATT EVANS IS LIVE THIS MORNING TO TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT WE CAN EXPECT ON THE WEEKEND. THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A PARTY. MATT: IS TRYING TO BRIDGE THE DIVIDE THAT HAS BEEN PART OF KANSAS CITY FOR SO LONG. TROOST AVENUE HAS BEEN THE RACIAL AND ECONOMIC DIVIDING LINE IN KANSAS CITY. THIS HAS BEEN ABOUT TRYING TO BRIDGE THE EAST SIDE AND WEST SIDE TOGETHER. IT IS A FESTIVAL MEANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE STRENGTH FOUND ALONG THE TROOST CORE DOOR. IT IS FROM 12:00 TO 7:00 AT 30TH AND TROOST. IT WILL FEATURE FOOD TRUCKS, LOCAL VENDORS, ACTIVITIES LIKE PICKLE BALL AND LIVE ART. ALL DESIGNED TO BRING PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE CITY TOGETHER. >> WE WANTED TO CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EXISTING COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND NEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE METRO TO HAVE A PLACE TOGETHER AS EQUALS, NOT IN A STRATIFIED WAY, BUT AN EQUAL WAY. MATT: THIS IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. EVERYONE IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND TURN TROOST TO A STREET THAT UNITES US. DONNA: I LOVE THAT. IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EVERYTHING HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND, YOU CAN

Advertisement Troostapalooza festival meant to unite on a street that historically divides Second year for festival is this Saturday from 12-7 p.m. Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Troost Avenue, the road that runs north/south for more than 10 miles through Kansas City, has long been a line that divides it both racially and economically. But today, that line is becoming blurred. That's a big goal of an event this weekend, Troostapalooza. "Last year we had the goal of bringing the communities east and west of Troost together to really have a fun opportunity to build relationships," said organizer Crissy Dastrup. "We believe when people are friends and care about each other they care about each others' communities and we think that’s a really great way to help bridge this historic Troost divide." The festival brings together people, businesses and organizations from both sides of Troost and beyond."We really wanted to create an opportunity for existing community members and new community members and really for people from across the metro to have a place to gather as equals," said organizer Kemit Coleman.Last year, more than 3,000 people attended the block party between 30th and 31st on Troost. Organizers hope events like this will help form a new sense of community along the historic Troost corridor."We also think it’s really important for families who live on both sides and their kids to have a sense of pride in their neighborhood," said Dastrup. "Troost has carried a lot of pain for a lot of people in the past so we wanted to create a new perspective and a new way of looking at Troost."Troostapalooza is from 12-7 p.m. this Saturday and will feature food trucks, live music, vendors and a long list of activities. You can find the full lineup on the event's website. It's free and everyone is welcomed and encouraged to attend to help turn Troost into a street that unites, not divides.