For close to 40 years, Kansas City celebrated Easter with an annual parade on the Country Club Plaza. Women, men and children, dressed in their finest spring clothes, showed up to celebrate spring. Hats were required, little girls twirled in Easter egg-colored dresses, dapper gents showed up in seersucker suits and white shoes replaced the dark winter colored shoes.
"I'll be all in clover and when they look you over,
I'll be the proudest fellow in the Easter parade."
In the late 1990s, the annual parade was canceled, but recently the management of Northland Kansas City's Zona Rosa decided the tradition was important enough to warrant resurrection. "For many years, this parade was significant to a lot of Kansas Citians," says Rosemary Salerno, general manager of the shopping destination. "Five years ago, we reinstated our own version [with a few enhancements] ... as a chance for local families to build new memories."
"On the avenue, Fifth Avenue, the photographers will snap us,
And you'll find that you're in the rotogravure."
The parade begins in front of Marshall's on Zona Rosa's town square. Everyone is invited to join in the five-block parade, which is led by the Easter Bunny himself. Dress in your finest: Awards totaling more than $3,000 in gift certificates and prizes will be given for the most outstanding lady, gentleman, boy, girl and pet. The most outstanding family will receive a $1,000 gift certificate to Zona Rosa.
Following the parade, award-winning musician Jim Cosgrove, better known as Mr. Stinky Feet to fans both young and old, will play a concert on the stage at the town square. Families can also pass the time at a petting zoo, visit with the Easter Bunny and sit for Easter-themed photos.
Of course, there's no lack of things to do once you exhaust all the Easter festivities. One of my favorite stores is Chocolaterie Stam-a Dutch chocolate store that also features gelato. They change their flavors according to what's in season, but red velvet cake is one I love. Or try the Bananas Foster and top it off with one of their exquisite chocolate-covered strawberries. It's fruit, which means you haven't really had dessert and can pop in the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for some fudge.
If you're looking for something a little bit more adult, stop by Tom Fooleries for the Weekend Recovery Bloody Mary Bar. It starts with the basic Bloody Mary ingredients-tomato juice and vodka-but then offers a buffet of more than 50 ways to make it your own. Special salts, a variety of pickled vegetables and different flavors of infused vodka keep the creativity flowing right along with the drinks. On Sundays, also try the Sunday Scramble-one of the best all-you-can-eat brunch buffets in town.
"Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet,
And of the girl I'm taking to the Easter parade."
To be a worthy subject of a song, you'll need to do some shopping to get ready for the big parade. Fortunately, at Zona Rosa there is no shortage of shops brimming with spring finery.
Men can stop by Men's Wearhouse and special order seersucker, if they're so inclined. Dillard's offers Easter dresses, suits and hats for every member of the family. The Children's Place has darling, candy-colored Easter dresses, as well as bowties and fun-sized suits.
DSW has enough white and patent leather shoes to shod the largest church choir. And the wide selection of accessories at Charming Charlies makes it easy to find the perfect earrings, necklace, scarf or handbag.
Of course, spring hasn't sprung for most of us until we've decorated our homes for the season, as well. One of my favorite places to look for treasures both old and new is Vintage Market North, a consortium of local vendors.
The market includes 5B Candle Company, Dollface Designs, Pink Chandelier Boutique, Polly and Esther and many more. Don't miss the Girls' Night Out, held on the second Thursday of every month from 5 to 9 p.m. Vendors put out new finds for the occasion and feature food, wine and prize drawings. I'm hoping to find a mismatched set of antique teacups I can use to display Easter eggs.
Spring is the perfect time to spend an afternoon shopping outdoors, and why not enjoy your Easter with shopping and a parade! See you at the Easter parade!
"I'll be all in clover and when they look you over,
I'll be the proudest fellow in the Easter parade."
In the late 1990s, the annual parade was canceled, but recently the management of Northland Kansas City's Zona Rosa decided the tradition was important enough to warrant resurrection. "For many years, this parade was significant to a lot of Kansas Citians," says Rosemary Salerno, general manager of the shopping destination. "Five years ago, we reinstated our own version [with a few enhancements] ... as a chance for local families to build new memories."
"On the avenue, Fifth Avenue, the photographers will snap us,
And you'll find that you're in the rotogravure."
The parade begins in front of Marshall's on Zona Rosa's town square. Everyone is invited to join in the five-block parade, which is led by the Easter Bunny himself. Dress in your finest: Awards totaling more than $3,000 in gift certificates and prizes will be given for the most outstanding lady, gentleman, boy, girl and pet. The most outstanding family will receive a $1,000 gift certificate to Zona Rosa.
Following the parade, award-winning musician Jim Cosgrove, better known as Mr. Stinky Feet to fans both young and old, will play a concert on the stage at the town square. Families can also pass the time at a petting zoo, visit with the Easter Bunny and sit for Easter-themed photos.
Of course, there's no lack of things to do once you exhaust all the Easter festivities. One of my favorite stores is Chocolaterie Stam-a Dutch chocolate store that also features gelato. They change their flavors according to what's in season, but red velvet cake is one I love. Or try the Bananas Foster and top it off with one of their exquisite chocolate-covered strawberries. It's fruit, which means you haven't really had dessert and can pop in the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for some fudge.
If you're looking for something a little bit more adult, stop by Tom Fooleries for the Weekend Recovery Bloody Mary Bar. It starts with the basic Bloody Mary ingredients-tomato juice and vodka-but then offers a buffet of more than 50 ways to make it your own. Special salts, a variety of pickled vegetables and different flavors of infused vodka keep the creativity flowing right along with the drinks. On Sundays, also try the Sunday Scramble-one of the best all-you-can-eat brunch buffets in town.
"Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet,
And of the girl I'm taking to the Easter parade."
To be a worthy subject of a song, you'll need to do some shopping to get ready for the big parade. Fortunately, at Zona Rosa there is no shortage of shops brimming with spring finery.
Men can stop by Men's Wearhouse and special order seersucker, if they're so inclined. Dillard's offers Easter dresses, suits and hats for every member of the family. The Children's Place has darling, candy-colored Easter dresses, as well as bowties and fun-sized suits.
DSW has enough white and patent leather shoes to shod the largest church choir. And the wide selection of accessories at Charming Charlies makes it easy to find the perfect earrings, necklace, scarf or handbag.
Of course, spring hasn't sprung for most of us until we've decorated our homes for the season, as well. One of my favorite places to look for treasures both old and new is Vintage Market North, a consortium of local vendors.
The market includes 5B Candle Company, Dollface Designs, Pink Chandelier Boutique, Polly and Esther and many more. Don't miss the Girls' Night Out, held on the second Thursday of every month from 5 to 9 p.m. Vendors put out new finds for the occasion and feature food, wine and prize drawings. I'm hoping to find a mismatched set of antique teacups I can use to display Easter eggs.
Spring is the perfect time to spend an afternoon shopping outdoors, and why not enjoy your Easter with shopping and a parade! See you at the Easter parade!
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