By Bill Lukitsch The star of Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – As Kansas City Chiefs fans prepare this week to celebrate the team’s second Super Bowl win since 2020, city leaders said on Monday they want the upcoming parade and after party to be safe and “family-friendly” “.
From the tarmac of Kansas City International Airport, as leaders prepared to welcome the team home, Mayor Quinton Lucas congratulated the Chiefs on their 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday night, saying anticipates upcoming events that will be part of “one of the most exciting weeks in Kansas City history”.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy next to Terry Bradshaw (left) and Chiefs owner Clark Hunt after the NFL’s Super Bowl 57 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in Glendale, Arizona. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35. A victory parade at home is scheduled for Wednesday. (Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez/Associated Press)
Lucas said the city has been preparing for the big win by “investing heavily” in making sure events are safe and accessible. He encouraged parade-goers to bring their children and visit downtown businesses as they join together in celebration of victory.
“If you come, bring yourself kinder and most importantly, make sure you are a happy part of our celebration,” the mayor said.
The parade kicks off Wednesday at noon. Road closures for the route will begin at 2.00pm on Tuesday and last until 7.00pm on Wednesday.
The route will begin at Sixth Street and head south on Grand Boulevard through downtown and past the T-Mobile Center. Once it reaches Pershing Road, it will cut through and end at Union Station.
The parade will be followed by an hour-long rally beginning at approximately 1:45 pm in front of Union Station and the North Lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Most Kansas City-area school districts canceled classes Wednesday so families could join the parade.
Public consumption of alcohol will be prohibited, said Kathy Nelson, CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission.
Fans have been advised to travel light and not to bring bags or backpacks. Fans are also advised against bringing drones to the parade as authorities will monitor the airspace and operating such aircraft over large crowds is prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said there will be hundreds of officers along the parade route to ensure everyone has a “fun and safe” experience. Staff working on the city’s public safety plan will include those from the KCPD’s investigative divisions, she said, along with some of the department’s newest recruits.
Graves said the department was ready to ensure it didn’t happen again in February 2020, when crowds watched a police chase unfold after a person crossed a road barrier.
Graves also advised those bringing children to the parade to have a plan in place should they become separated during the large-scale event. He suggested that the children wear small bracelets or some type of identifier to help the officers who will be ready to reunite any families and friends who lose track of the children during the parade.
Seven rejoin sites will be established along the parade route, Graves said, and will be shared on the department’s social media pages in advance. Kansas City Police are also relying on help from 19 different state, local and federal agencies to help keep the events safe, Graves said.
Graves also assured the public that the city’s patrol divisions will be staffed to respond to 911 calls around Kansas City.
Assistant Fire Chief Jimmy Walker said the Kansas City Fire Department will also devote significant resources to the parade to address any emergency medical situations that may arise. He said KCFD was also relying on mutual aid agreements with neighboring jurisdictions to make that happen.
About 200 firefighters were to be assigned to the parade route Wednesday to provide emergency medical situations, Walker said. He added that two emergency medical tents would be set up near Union Station.
As an estimated 500,000 people are expected to descend on downtown Kansas City for the festivities, officials are also encouraging people wishing to attend the parade or after party to make arrangements for transportation.
Parking downtown is expected to be limited, and the Kansas City Transportation Authority will have spots around the subway with buses waiting to transport people to and from downtown.
Chuck Ferguson, of KCATA, said five park-and-rides will be offered Wednesday for the parade: Hy-vee Arena, Kansas City Zoo, Worlds of Fun, Oak Park Mall and the 47th and State Metrocenters. He said there will be about 400 buses available for the festivities in downtown Kansas City.
For up-to-date information about the parade and celebration, visit the parade website at www.chiefsparade.com, sign up for text alerts from AlertKC by texting KCPARADE to 888-777, or follow @KansasCity and @SportKC on Twitter or find them on Facebook and Instagram.
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