Kansas City News Blog

​TO: Highwoods Properties, Plaza Management Team
FROM: Mr. Green and Ms. White, co-presidents, Plaza Light Bulb Installers United
RE: Plaza Lighting Ceremony

Dear Country Club Plaza Overseers:

As the union representatives for the hard-working people who string up the Plaza's fabled lights, we must write to express our grave concern about what's happening here on the Plaza.

As you know, the Plaza Lighting Ceremony has been a Thanksgiving-night tradition in Kansas City for 80 years now. This year's ceremony, from 7 to 8 p.m. on November 26, looks to be just as wonderful as always, in no small part due to the dedication of me and my co-workers. But we're worried. Too many other outdoor shopping malls around here are starting to have their own ceremonies, and it's threatening the Plaza's status as Kansas City's pre-eminent place for holiday lights. 

For example, tonight, November 19, there's the "City Lights Annual Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony" from 5:30 to 6:25 p.m. at Barney Allis Plaza. It presents stiff competition in the entertainment line-up: There's a countdown to the lights going on; one of the cast members of Wicked is supposed to "perform a holiday song"; and the Ray-Pec Panther Pride Marching Band is supposed to perform. How can you beat that? Downtown is also gunning for us in the do-gooder department, since it's the kickoff for the Salvation Army's Christmas Campaign. And there's FREE cookies, FREE hot chocolate and FREE coffee. And they're bragging about the "First Annual Santa Parade to Cosentino's Market and the Power & Light District" after the festivities. 

It only gets worse.

On November 21, the Legends say it's having a MONUMENTAL HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE. Among other things, organizers are promising:

features that this region has never seen before. An awe-inspiring display of holiday lights synchronized to music and a winter wonderland experience with Santa and Mrs. Claus will put Kansas City with the likes of international holiday hot spots New York City, Chicago, Kobe, Japan and Seoul, Korea.

Yep, that's what they're saying. Plus, they've got KMBZ Channel 9's Lara Moritz as MC, along with sure-to-be heartwarming music by the Kansas City Boys Choir, and a 45-foot tree.

That same night, from 5 to 7, there's the Northern Lights at Zona Rosa Holiday Lighting Ceremony. At 50 feet, Zona Rosa's tree is five feet taller than the Legends'. Fortunately for us, the festivities aren't going to put Zona Rosa on the same level of New York and Seoul. Instead, Zona Rosa's events are based on a whole litany of forgotten Kansas City traditions, like a Holiday Fairy Princess, lit-up crowns, the naming of "shopping royalty" and a giant igloo, followed by horse-and-carriage rides. People fall for that stuff, we suppose.

Additionally, we've been getting word that out in Lee's Summit, on the night before our ceremony, the Summit Fair shopping center has a "Big Holiday Surprise" planned for its "Inaugural Holiday Lighting Ceremony." From their PR department: "An award-winning lighting display and local performers usher in the holidays and in a flash, guests will be surrounded by the unexpected." Whatever this means:

Guests should expect the unexpected as an international, viral sensation is planned as a holiday surprise, promising guests to be immersed in the holiday excitement. The surprise will literally evolve from the crowd unexpectedly. No further details will be disclosed! Inquisitive minds must attend in order to experience this holiday magic.

Here's what we know: The animated lighting display is designed by some company named Parker 3D. And there's a live performance by a supergroup of local musicians Heather Thornton, Nick Nave of Red Guitar, Sara Brazil of 90 Minutes, Justin Stancil and Kirsten Paludan. This all starts at 6 p.m. on November 25.

We're sure you can appreciate our concern. After all of that, how are we supposed to expect the usual tens of thousands -- hundreds of thousands! -- of revelers to show up here on Thanksgiving night?

We worry people will be burned out.

Please respond at your earliest convenience.