Henry Perry Day

–The Museum of BBQ, the world’s first museum dedicated to barbecue, will donate 100 percent of ticket sales proceeds from July 3 – known as  “Henry Perry Day,” in Kansas City, Missouri – to the Henry Perry Foundation.

Kansas City Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas deemed July 3 as Henry Perry Day in 2020 to honor the legacy of the iconic Kansas City pitmaster. The day marked the centennial of a free barbecue held by Perry, where he fed 1,000 Kansas Citians. 

The Museum of BBQ will recognize this Kansas City barbecue pioneer by donating proceeds from ticket sales to the Henry Perry Foundation. The foundation mission is to “help build better lives for children, youth, and adults” by supporting youth education, community awareness, conversation, and childcare scholarships. The 501(c)3 is based out of Mission, Kansas. 

A native of Tennessee, Perry made a name for himself by selling smoked meats in the Garment District of Kansas City in 1908. Over the next three decades, his meat smoked over hickory with his peppery barbecue sauce was a taste that folks craved. A pitmaster, entrepreneur, and mentor, Perry became known as the “father of KC barbeque,” and helped cement Kansas City as one of the nation’s leading barbecue cities.