My girlfriend Lori has been a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs since 1989. She once lived in Topeka, KS, and has relatives with season tickets. She’s seen games at Arrowhead Stadium. Good seasons. Bad seasons.
The Chiefs, if you haven’t heard, just won the Super Bowl. Their second time to win it all, but with a 50 year drought. This 2020 game was barely over when one of us wondered aloud as to when there might be a celebration in Kansas City? I volunteered to drive us out if I was free. It worked out, I was. The parade and rally were Wednesday, February 5th, in downtown K.C. The parade would run from north to south on Grand Blvd, make a right onto Pershing Road, and conclude with the rally on the south side of Union Station.
Lori took a day off from work and “all systems were go.” Each of us did some basic homework as to what to expect. This included online research, and asking some questions of our Kansas City friends and relatives who had attended the parade for the Royals when they won the World Series a few years ago. Crowd estimates for that event were around 800,00. Many say it was rather chaotic. Attendees were abandoning vehicles on overpasses, etc. The city learned, and was better prepared for this parade.
“Arrive early,” was nearly always at the top of the advice list. This would mean leaving Galesburg in the middle of the night for the five hour drive. OR, “plan b.” We elected to leave late Tuesday afternoon, drive to Liberty, MO, just north of K.C., and spring for a room. We found a nice one at a very reasonable rate.
Wednesday morning, an army of buses (all types, around 400 strong) would shuttle fans from designated pick up zones to designated drop off zones. We hopped on a bus around 8 a.m. at the Worlds of Fun Amusement Park, and were let off on Truman Road, about six blocks east of the Kansas City Star building.
Wednesday was gray. Some snow flurries, and a predicted high of 27 degrees. We dressed accordingly, knowing we’d be in the elements several hours. Off the bus, we joined the masses, and began walking towards downtown.
I’d taken along two professional camera bodies and two lenses. I’d also packed my Canon A650-IS “point and shoot.” Debating on what gear to use for the day. I had no credentials for any special access. In my thought process, two words kept coming up. “Weight and bulk.” I decided to use the “idiot camera” and leave the pro gear behind.
I’d never photographed any event this large. During my tenure in Chicago, the Bulls won NBA titles, but I never received the “parade assignment.” This was similar to the Halloween parades I had photographed at Southern Illinois University. Just a lot larger. Visual opportunities were everywhere. A “people watcher’s” paradise.
We followed Grand Blvd south. Passing storefronts and thousands of fans by the security barriers who lined the route. These were the “earlybirds.” Once a photographer, always a photographer. If I saw something interesting, I made the photo. Lori was mostly patient. I suggested I needed a T-shirt that would read, “Warning, this photographer makes frequent stops” on the back.
If we’d elected to remain on Grand, we would have had a great vantage point when the parade would roll by. The players rode double deck buses. People were 2-3 deep along the barriers. No more. However, Lori felt we should be closer to Union Station for the rally segment. So w kept walking, totaling around 2 miles from the time we stepped off the bus.
South of Union Station there is a huge, natural hill that leads up to a World War I museum and memorial. It was about 9 a.m. when the hill came into view. It was already nearly packed. There was still some open space, but the view to the main stage was all but blocked. Sticking with this location, we had two and a half hours to kill before the parade even began. It would likely be another hour beyond this, before we would see the team arrive.
We talked. We stood, I made photos. We chatted with a couple. We chatted with individuals. We watched as security at the Crown Center, just across the street, tried to run people off a very steep embankment. For a short time, it worked. Security retreated. Then, people in much larger numbers came back and reclaimed the hill. Security gave up.
Our ears were punished with bad dance music, playing from the public address system. At times, our noses were subjected to the overpowering sweet smell of strong pot. There was lots of drinking. Only once, however, did we see a very minor skirmish. The throng was very friendly and polite.
The Chiefs arrived! It was a bit underwhelming as to how little noise that many people was creating. Was it a rally for the Super Bowl champs? Or a chance to be part of a big event? Probably both.
The mayor, governor, and other “big wigs,” spoke. Thankfully, they kept it short. Team owner, Clark Hunt’s turn came. Coach Andy Reid got his turn. Then, beginning with Patrick Mahomes, some players took their turns.
Our feet were cold. We began the return walk before the rally concluded. It had been fun.
I’d made 185 photos. Several of them "“portrait style.” Didn’t work too hard, didn’t get too close to the team.
Conversation with strangers ensued on the bus ride back to Worlds of Fun. I mentioned Galesburg. Within seven feet of me were four people who have grandparents who live in nearby Dallas City, IL. Another man went to college with a Galesburg police officer. Nearly a million people floating around Wednesday, yet…it’s a small world.
Lori and I had been outside, in 27 degree weather for 7 hours. We logged 5.3 miles. We got in the car and drove home. Agreeing we’d do it again.
We had fun.
