If you hadn’t heard, there was a parade in Kansas City on Tuesday.
All the schools were let out for the day.
Massive amounts of people tried to take shuttles from various locations to the parade, only to witness extremely long lines, give up and drive downtown.
Then, those same people, couldn’t get into downtown because traffic was backed up, so they left their cars in the middle of the interstate, like a “Walking Dead” reenactment, in order to get to the parade.
Once at the parade, they were so far back in line, that they were only able to see the head’s of the players in the parade…but when the popular players came along the parade route, they could see nothing, because everyone either lifted up their children or their cell phones or both.
Or if they were in the “mosh-pit of death”, also referred to as the Victory Rally at Union Station, they worried about being separated from their kiddos, their purse, or their clothes as they moved through the sea of people. And they couldn’t see or hear anything.
And then lunchtime hit and kids got cranky. There was no food or beverage trucks to be found. So, they left the parade early, drove to a bar and grill, and drank beer while watching the rally on the television.
If you were part of the “survival of the fittest” and made it through to the rally (because you were smart and left your house super early to avoid traffic and had a good spot), you were blessed with a three-hour commute home, as everyone else was doing the same thing.
So, when friends and family, that aren’t from Kansas City, ask me if the parade was amazing, my response is…
“No. It wasn’t. It was a bit of sh!# show.”
It wasn’t planned well. As soon as school was cancelled, city officials should have adjusted the route, busing, etc. to accommodate double the people than what was planned (that would have went from 250,000 to 500,000…which was still 300,000 short). There were not nearly enough bathrooms, food vendors, drink vendors, or policemen for the over-capacity crowd.
And at this point, I will quit my bitching because something else happened, that is more important than poor planning.
There were over 800,000 people at the parade. That is more than the population of the cities of Omaha and Lincoln, COMBINED. More than either the states of North or South Dakota. And more than the country Fiji. It’s a ton of people.
And for all of the jacked-up-ed-ness that was getting to, seeing, being at, and leaving the parade, there was a moment of pure awesomeness.
Nothing bad happened.
Egos were held at the door. Nothing was burned, looted, or destroyed. Only three people were arrested. People helped kids find missing parents. Strangers gave each other high fives. People were happy.
In my mind, a community came together and celebrated a team of scrappy fighters and their championship victory…no differently than when a small town celebrates a champion high school sports team.
And while I have always been a Nebraska girl, it was in the days afterward, as I reflected, I realized I was proud to call Kansas City my home.
Because just like our team, we dealt with crazy obstacles, situations, and disappointments with class. And in the end, will be remembered better because of it.
(And as a side note, here were my favorite Royals Playoff Memes from this season. I dare you not to chuckle….Knock, Knock. Who’s There? Noah….)
See past editions of I LOVE These Things.
Now, you just need to find us some great steals/deals on some Royals gear!! Go KC!