The humid weather didn’t dampen the spirits of hundreds of fans who packed into Theatre in the Park in Johnson County on Wednesday evening to watch the United States take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup knockout round.
“It’s hot, but the energy is much better than watching it on a couch somewhere,” said Kevin Weaver of Olathe.
The event was part of a series of watch parties put on by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District at Shawnee Mission Park throughout the World Cup.
Though most of the crowd Wednesday was rooting for the United States, Waldo resident Mia Goeke came to root for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her parents immigrated from there in 1995, after the Bosnian War.
Her Bosnian fan gear attracted some interest from other attendees.
“It’s been really cool. Everyone’s been nice. We’ve had a couple of people come up and ask us about Bosnia,” Goeke said.
For Overland Park resident Phuc Trieu, that cultural exchange is an important element of the event.
“Half the fun is meeting people from other countries and seeing what they do,” he said.
Many attendees had a deep love for soccer.
“I’ve been following the World Cup forever. I actually went to a match in 1994, at the Rose Bowl when the U.S. beat Colombia. It was a great match,” said Lynn Franey of Overland Park, referring to the last time the U.S. hosted a World Cup.
She said she’s been to the Power & Light District downtown to watch matches, but it’s a different experience at Theatre in the Park.
“(At KC Live!), you end up standing the whole time, and I wanted to sit,” she said. “It’s fun watching on the big screen instead of at home.”
Shawnee resident Stacy Miller was at the watch party with her three kids. It’s the first watch party they’ve attended this year.
“We don’t get a lot of opportunities to do this, because it’s really expensive to take the kids to a game,” she said.
Overland Park residents Sarah Richards and 9-year-old Nola Richards were there on Wednesday night for the third time this World Cup.
“I play soccer. It’s my main sport. I like to go up there and play,” Nola said.
Many of the kids in attendance played games of pickup soccer on the sidelines of the event.
Theatre in the Park is set to host a day of World Cup watch parties on Friday (barring the hot and humid weather), featuring three more knockout matches. You can register to attend any of those matches here.
See more pictures from the watch party event:
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