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Photos: The Marching Cobras entertain Kansas City with their high energy performances

By The Kansas City Star
The Marching Cobras helped H&R Block celebrated their National Tax Advice Day in 2007 at the company’s headquarters at Main and 13th Street.
The Marching Cobras helped H&R Block celebrated their National Tax Advice Day in 2007 at the company’s headquarters at Main and 13th Street. Keith Myers The Kansas City Star

A high energy drill team that has been a staple of parades and other public events in Kansas City for more than 50 years is disbanding.

The Marching Cobras will no longer perform their drumbeat-driven dance routines through the city’s streets after Cobras’ founder Willie Arthur Smith decided he no longer could lead the group.

Smith’s granddaughter Meshae Johnson told The Star that her grandfather made the decision based off what he felt was best for him and that the team was his legacy that will retire with him.

An estimated 9,000 young people have performed with the Marching Cobras since the group’s founding in 1969 according to the Cobras’ website. Smith was a middle school social studies teacher when he started the drill team.

Here is a look back at some of the Marching Cobras’ performances.

Willie Arthur Smith and the Cobras strut down Fifth Street in Kansas City, Kan., in 2003 during a parade.
Willie Arthur Smith and the Cobras strut down Fifth Street in Kansas City, Kan., in 2003 during a parade. Delores Johnson The Kansas City Star
Dontayvion Daughtry, 5, performed with the Marching Cobras in 2007 at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade along Grand Blvd. in Kansas City.
Dontayvion Daughtry, 5, performed with the Marching Cobras in 2007 at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade along Grand Blvd. in Kansas City. Keith Myers The Kansas City Star
On hand at H&R Block headquarters downtown were the Marching Cobras, who waited in the entryway to kick off Block’s self-proclaimed National Tax Advice Day in 2008.
On hand at H&R Block headquarters downtown were the Marching Cobras, who waited in the entryway to kick off Block’s self-proclaimed National Tax Advice Day in 2008. Mike Ransdell The Kansas City Star
Willie Arthur Smith, shown in 2003, founded the Marching Cobras in 1969 when he was a junior high school social studies teacher.
Willie Arthur Smith, shown in 2003, founded the Marching Cobras in 1969 when he was a junior high school social studies teacher. Delores Johnson The Kansas City Star
Members of the Marching Cobras gave a rousing and energetic performance in 2003 for the First Annual Marching Cobras Day.
Members of the Marching Cobras gave a rousing and energetic performance in 2003 for the First Annual Marching Cobras Day. Delores Johnson The Kansas City Star
The Kansas City Marching Cobras did some impressive tricks while performing during opening ceremonies for the American Fastpitch Association 16-and-Under National Tournament in 2005.
The Kansas City Marching Cobras did some impressive tricks while performing during opening ceremonies for the American Fastpitch Association 16-and-Under National Tournament in 2005. Allison Long The Kansas City Star
A member of the Kansas City Marching Cobras dances before the a KC Tenants begins outside the Gabriel Tower Apartments in 2021.
A member of the Kansas City Marching Cobras dances before the a KC Tenants begins outside the Gabriel Tower Apartments in 2021. Rebecca Slezak The Kansas City Star
Members of the Marching Cobras perform at the Missouri Black Expo at Bartle Hall in 2005.
Members of the Marching Cobras perform at the Missouri Black Expo at Bartle Hall in 2005. Jim Barcus The Kansas City Star
The Marching Cobras held an alumni event in 2003 at 34th Street and the Paseo. These alumni showed that they sill had sharp moves.
The Marching Cobras held an alumni event in 2003 at 34th Street and the Paseo. These alumni showed that they sill had sharp moves. DELORES JOHNSON THE KANSAS CITY STAR
Kansas City’s famed Marching Cobras brought their high energy performance to the Crossroads Music Fest in 2015.
Kansas City’s famed Marching Cobras brought their high energy performance to the Crossroads Music Fest in 2015. Roy Inman Special to The Star

This story was originally published October 2, 2023 at 9:40 AM.

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