Feeling much less serious than our title, Cute and I trekked over to the American Royal's Expo Building on Saturday to view the annual (I guess) Parade of Hearts. It seems to me that we now have lots of hearts around, already, and we will have 101 more to sustain us as the event takes 2025 off, returning in 2026. When it's back, this event is fun to attend - for kids, for whom there were many activities and adults together. I usually don't say that. Plus, there was music, a car to paint, and even stickers. Cute was thrilled.
One hundred+ of the beauties are up for auction, monies directed to different charities: Health & Wellness (The University of Kansas Health System & Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals), Education (The Family Conservancy), Small/Minority Owned Businesses, Arts & Culture (Local Artists), and Hospitality & Tourism. [This was lifted straight from their website.]
Last year there were maybe half as many hearts as I recall, so this is a substantial increase. And not to disparage last year's glories, a ton of this year's were even more beautiful, eye-catching, and yes, artistic.
Sports teams are still big although I didn't take as many pictures of them. Animals and flowers. Historical K.C. Some include clever additions you wouldn't think to stick on a heart- like a dragon or a giant octopus. Some have lighting. Some are clearly pre-designated. Who'd think of putting barbeque on a grilled heart? Fronts and backs were usually different. One artist wore a stained glass tie to match his stained glass heart. Some had distinct messages. Others were clearly just for smiles.
There are lots of photos below you can index-finger or click > through if you want a very partial preview. Don't miss the video of the kinetic art heart or kugelbahn (German: 'ball track') which of course is what we always call them.
Some hearts have already been placed in various locations and the rest will be placed soon. They stay up until August when they will be sold, some moving to secluded and personalized spots, forever gone to most of us. But for now, do check them out, here and all over K.C. Or buy one -- we tried to last year for our building but needed a few thousand more dollars contributed, alas, as the prices went up. A good thing, really. People really like them! Welome to the Heartland, I finish. Tritely.
Oh wait, the kugelbahn. Surely you weren't thinking of skipping it?
If you want to see ALL the hearts, go to https://theparadeofhearts.com/. There's even games and you could make a scavenger hunt from the info there. Also take a look at takesheart.org, especially if you are, or know, a woman-owned business or female entrepreneur.
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