Kansas City will be a sea of red as Chiefs fans get a chance to celebrate the team’s victory with a parade and rally on Wednesday.
We'll continue to post updates as we learn new information, but here’s what we know so far:
When will the celebration start?
The celebration starts at 11:30 a.m. and includes a rally at Union Station around 1:30 p.m.
What's the route?
The parade will start at Grand Boulevard and 6th Street and head south to Pershing Road, where it will turn right and end at Union Station.
For more information, people can sign up for text alerts, such as public safety updates, from AlertKC.
What will the weather be?
The Weather Channel predicts show showers with a possibility of 1-3 inches of accumulation, and a high of 28 degrees.
What's the security plan?
The Kansas City Police Department promises "all hands on deck" at the parade, according to a news release.
Organizers plan to have six location stations where families can reunite with lost children (during the 2015 Royals parade, about 100 children were separated from their families before being reunited).
EMTs will be wearing bright green, and flags will be posted with letters so that people can describe their location to a 911 dispatcher in case of emergency.
Can you get around using the KC Streetcar?
No. The streetcar won't be in service Wednesday for the parade. In a news release, KC Streetcar Authority said the decision is based on the expected crowdsize and parade logistics at Union Station.
Can I take a bus?
KCATA will offer free bus rides, but bus service will be limited. Ten routes will run, most with significant detours. The three MAX lines will run every 30 minutes, and seven local routes will run every 60 minutes.
Service will start at 6 a.m. More details for Prospect MAX, Troost MAX, Main MAX, 31 31st Street, 24 Independence, 39 39th Street, 47 Broadway, 85 Paseo, 101 State Avenue, and 201 North Oak, along with other details including reroutes, will be posted on the RideKC website.
Free roundtrip shuttle service into downtown and the Crossroads will be available from several locations in the metro area.
What about parking?
Parking is expected to be extremely limited around the parade route. Planners encourage parade-goers to use park and ride locations, where they can leave their cars and take buses into downtown and the Crossroads.
Where can I go to the bathroom?
Organizers have ordered 700 portable toilets, reportedly the most for any event in the city's history.
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. Organizers advise parade-goers to make plans in case they get separated.
What schools will be closed?
Most metro-area school districts will be closed, including:
- Belton 124
- Blue Springs R-IV
- Blue Valley
- Center 58
- Fort Osage R-I
- Grain Valley R-V
- Grandview C-4
- Hickman Mills C-1
- Independence 30
- Kansas City 33
- Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools
- Lee's Summit R-VII
- Liberty 53
- North Kansas City 74
- Olathe
- Park Hill
- Raytown
- Shawnee Mission School District
"Given that approximately a million or more people may attend this event, and the widespread support for the Chiefs within KCPS, we are going to cancel classes for that day," KCPS said in a news release.
Can you bring alcohol to celebrate?
“We're telling everyone to remember that public consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited,” Hernandez said. “We want it to be a family friendly event.”
Where can you watch the rally?
Fans can watch the rally from the north lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, which will also have extended hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to a news release, a number of roads surrounding the memorial will be closed. This includes Kessler Rd., Main St., Memorial Drive, Pershing Rd. and Wyandotte St.
How is the parade affecting businesses?
Messenger Coffee on Grand Boulevard is closing Wednesday because of the large crowd size that’s expected. Town Topic is closed until 4 p.m. and Mildred’s Coffeehouse on Wyandotte St. will close early at 11 a.m.
Manny’s Mexican Restaurant and Rhythm & Booze Downtown will remain open. Both the Westin at Crown Center and Sheraton at Crown Center are booked Tuesday night.
Do I still have to show up to court Wednesday?
The Jackson County Circuit Court is closed Wednesday because of concerns about traffic congestion. This affects the Jackson County Courthouse, the Eastern Jackson County Courthouse in Independence, Family Court and the Criminal Justice building.
When was the last time the city had a celebration on this scale?
That would be the 2015 Royals parade. Fox said planners have learned a lot from that event, such as making sure to include more porta-potties.
“This is going to be a huge event, a fun event and this is something that is 50 years in the making,” said city spokesman Chris Hernandez.
Aviva Okeson-Haberman is the Missouri government and politics reporter at KCUR 89.3. Follow her on Twitter: @avivaokeson.
Elle Moxley covers education for KCUR. You can follow her on Twitter.
Lisa Rodriguez is a reporter and the afternoon newscaster for KCUR 89.3. Follow her on Twitter: @larodrig.
Alex Smith is a health reporter for KCUR. You can reach him by email at alexs@kcur.org.
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