Kansas City fans will take to the streets Wednesday to celebrate the team’s second Super Bowl win in four years.
If you were lucky enough to take part in 2020’s celebration, you already know one thing — planning ahead is key.
We’ll continue to post updates as we learn new information, but here’s what we know so far:
When is the celebration?
Soon after the Chiefs clinched Super Bowl LVII against the Eagles, Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas tweeted “LET’S HAVE A PARADE WEDNESDAY!!!”
While we’re still waiting for an official start time, festivities will likely begin with a parade and finish with a rally around midday or early afternoon.
What’s the route?
Kansas City city manager Brian Platt told KCUR Monday morning that the parade will begin at the City Market and continue down Grand Boulevard before turning on Pershing Road to finish in front of Union Station.
The Kansas City Sports Commission advises parade-goers to watch for additional details across several channels:
- Visit the parade website at www.chiefsparade.com
- Sign up for text notifications from AlertKC. Text KCPARADE to 888-777.
- Follow the City and the KC Sports Commission on Twitter @KansasCity and @SportKC, or on Facebook and Instagram.
We love a parade! We’ll drive!
— RideKC (@RideKCTransit) February 13, 2023
What will the weather be?
The National Weather Service is forecasting a beautiful day — mostly sunny, with highs in the upper 50s. But temperature will likely drop significantly into the evening, with a forecasted low around 23 and a chance for snow.
Will schools be closed?
Kansas City Public Schools has announced schools will be closed Wednesday so families can take part in citywide festivities, but other districts are likely to cancel classes as well.
In addition, both Shawnee Mission and USD 232 in De Soto have announced there will be no classes on Wednesday.
What about cell phone service?
Cell phone reception may be extremely limited due to the large numbers of cell phone users in a small area. Parade-goers should make plans in case they get separated.
How much will it cost?
The celebration will be free to attend, but will cost at least $2.25 million to put on, according to estimates presented at a Kansas City Council meeting earlier this month.
Kansas City, Missouri, allocated $750,000 for the event and Mayor Quinton Lucas guessed that overtime costs for police and fire fighters would add up to more than $1.5 million.
The Kansas City Sports Commission also expects more than $1 million in private sponsorships.
When was the last time Kansas City had a celebration like this?
That would be the 2020 Chiefs parade. That event started at 11:30 a.m. and included a rally at Union Station around 1:30 p.m. that featured several Chiefs players and coaches.
Hundreds of people camped out in front of Union Station the night before the event and thousands were lined up along the parade route before dawn. In all, about half a million people attended.
KCUR 89.3 is Kansas City’s NPR affiliate public radio station. You can read and listen to more of their reporting at kcur.org.
