Celebrating the 50th Annual Kansas City
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50 Cheers to 50 Years
Celebrating the 50th Annual Kansas City
St . Patrick ’ s Day Parade by Erin Gabert
On March 17 , tens of thousands of spectators will line the streets of Broadway between Linwood and 43rd Street to witness the 50th Annual Kansas City St . Patrick ’ s Day Parade . From its humble beginnings on March 15 , 1974 , as a PR stunt meant to drum up business for Hogerty ’ s Hogerty ’ s Bar in the then-struggling downtown area to its current status as the largest annual one-day event in Kansas City , one thing remains the same — Kansas City loves celebrating the Irish !
A variety of cannabis businesses have joined the parade .
For many , the St . Patrick ’ s Day Parade is a tradition not to be missed . Known as one of the country ’ s largest St . Patrick ’ s Day parades , the event draws thousands from all over the region . Regardless of the unpredictable nature of Midwest weather in the early spring , the parade always marches on , and the die-hard fans never miss a beat .
Many Kansas City area residents have grown up with the tradition and now bring their own children and grandchildren each year . The same goes for many of the families and businesses that participate year after year . Families like the O ’ Connor clan from Gardner , The O ’ Rouke / Sweeney clans , the O ’ Sullivans , and the Barr family have been in the parade every year from practically the start .
Parade revelers have also come to expect Big Bossy , the giant Hiland Dairy cow , to make her way down the route along with other yearly staples such as the lively performers of the Kansas City Renaissance Festival , Irish Dancers , bag pipers , and so many others who participate each year .
Throughout the years , the parade has grown and evolved much like Kansas City has . A more diverse wave of participants , from businesses to organizations , have joined the celebration , proving that everyone is Irish on St . Patrick ’ s Day . In recent years , drill teams have become a crowd favorite , along with car clubs of all varieties and numerous LGBTQ + organizations , among others . In the last few years , specifically , as cannabis has become more and more popular , a variety of businesses in the industry have joined the parade as well .
As the traditions evolved , other significant changes shaped the parade into what it is today . The location has moved from various areas throughout downtown to its current home in midtown , and organizers have expanded their impact beyond St . Patrick ’ s Day . In recognition of the Great Famine in Ireland from 1845-1852 , the Go for the Green Food Drive for Harvesters was created to help address the needs of those suffering food insecurity in Kansas City . In the days leading up to the parade , committee members , alongside Irish dancers , leprechauns , magicians , and other entertainers , bring the fun and shenanigans of St . Patrick ’ s Day to the families at Children ’ s Mercy Hospital .
Ensuring the quality and continuation of this annual Kansas City tradition is the Kansas City St . Patrick ’ s Day Parade committee . Much to the surprise of many , the Kansas City St . Patrick ’ s Day Parade is a 501c3 organization funded by sponsorships , grants , and entry fees from participants and is 100 % volunteer-run . This dedicated group of individuals led by a board of directors and two co-chairs work year-round to plan and execute this massive event . The committee is open to join and welcomes anyone interested and ready to roll up their sleeves to make sure that Kansas City is seeing green on St . Patrick ’ s Day for the next 50 years .
For those who can ’ t make it to the parade in person , the event is aired live on Fox 4 and www . fox4kc . com beginning at noon on March 17 .
For more information and the parade route map , visit the parade website www . kcirishparade . com or Kansas City St . Patrick ’ s Day Parade on Facebook and @ KCIrishParade on Instagram and X .
Erin Gabert is a past co-chair and board member of the St . Patrick ’ s Day Parade . She has been an active committee member for 21 years and currently manages Parade media relations . She provides color commentary alongside Kathy Quinn and John Holt during the live broadcast on Channel 4 .
( Photos contributed )
10 March 2024