Kansas City’s Parade of Hearts
What you get when you mix innovation and compassion to create unity
Who is behind the idea of the Parade of Hearts?
According to KCUR 89.3’s Unlike the CowParade from 20 years ago, Kansas City is the only place in the world to see these big hearts,
In 1919, railroad workers wore pins to signal their home base as the “heart of America.” In the 1940s, Kansas City Monarchs players in the Negro Leagues wore jerseys with heart patches on the sleeves. Today, Charlie Hustle T-shirts are adorned with the KC heart. (Source.)
A few years ago, Dimensional Innovations’ CEO, Tucker Trotter, and local apparel retailer Charlie Hustle’s owner and CEO, Chase McAnulty, in conversation revisited the worldwide CowParade art project and brainstormed an idea that could belong to Kansas City. Trotter wondered if they could do a heart parade. According to KCUR, Trotter and McAnulty wanted something to bring the Heartland together setting an example for other cities by showing what can be done to join together.
What is the Parade of Hearts?
The Parade of Hearts is a local movement celebrating the Heart of America. It will also benefit local artists and neighborhoods. It is an organized event consisting of the installation of 154 five ft. heart sculptures made of fiberglass that were designed by 123 local artists from around Kansas City.
The Parade of Hearts is a planned effort to unite people through art, which funds will be distributed accordingly.
According to the project’s website, Parade of Hearts’ purpose is to also support local tourism, retail, and service sectors, as well as provide financial support for industries most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Source.)
Where can you catch a piece of the Parade of Hearts?
In case you didn’t know, there are 154 hearts in Missouri and Kansas all in one heartland to lift positivity near communities in the Kansas City area. It’s described as “A Heartland Celebration.” People can download the app to see a list of each heart including the name of the artist and bio. As written in the app, “we are setting a national example of unification — showing the country we are the Heartland with a common purpose of making our communities strong.”
Also through the app, you are welcome to donate, see a list of beneficiaries, and discover “area goodies” when you scan the barcode at each heart. Check out the Parade of Hearts Facebook page for further information.
The goal is to set a national example of unification, truly showing the country we are the Heartland with a common purpose of making our communities strong. (Parade of Hearts website.)
What’s going to happen to the hearts?
The hearts will be auctioned off in June to the highest bidders to help support those impacted by the challenges of the pandemic including COVID patients with lingering effects on their hearts. The funds will go to the below organizations:
- Alt-Cap
- Mid-America Regional Council
- University of Kansas Health System
- Visit KC Foundation
Thank you for reading.
© Cathy Coombs
About the Author
Earning a degree in journalism and creative writing in my 40s affirmed my love for literature, language, and especially writing. I retired early to write full-time and have already published three eBooks in 2022. My current project is finalizing a true-crime book that was researched for over 10 years.
