Were you part of KC’s big ‘Orange Walk’ World Cup pre-party? It was a Dutch treat
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Thousands of Dutch fans gathered in downtown Kansas City for an Orange Walk.
- Buses of supporters led chants, sang songs and waved flags during the march.
- Fans who missed buses lined street corners, cheered on cars, and danced on ledges.
The Netherlands’ famed “Orange Walk” is renowned for bringing together groups from all over the world in celebration of soccer.
Thunderous cheers of “Holland!” rang out in downtown Kansas City Thursday as thousands of Dutch fans gathered to show off their national pride ahead of the evening’s group-stage match against Tunisia at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium.
Aptly named, the “Orange Walk” saw buses full of supporters leading chants, singing songs and waving flags in the sky.
Netherlands supporters who couldn’t make it onto the event’s pair of orange double-decker buses didn’t let that stop them. They lined street corners, cheered from the roofs of cars and danced atop the ledges of buildings.
Their hearts were empty of fear for their safety and filled with the thrill of the World Cup.
Kansas City is no stranger to large celebrations or giving one’s all for sports teams, but even the locals were impressed by the sea of orange that flooded the streets.
Davis Kinch, a college student born and raised in Kansas City, has taken advantage of the opportunity presented by the World Cup to immerse himself in a bevy of cultures for the first time in his life.
He experienced the rowdy Argentine fans after Lionel Messi became the oldest player to complete a hat trick. He’s partied with fans from Algeria, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil.
But there was something special about the Dutch fans — something that stood out.
“This tops any Super Bowl parade,” Davis Kinch said of the Orange march. “Never in my 22 years of living did I think I would experience this right in my hometown. I’ve learned so much about Dutch culture in the last 24 hours. These people sure know how to party.”
Many Kansas Citians enjoyed the festivities, but the Dutch impact here has stretched far and wide.
Libya fans Nabil Elshaari and his wife Sabah traveled all the way from California to support their North African neighbors — the Dutch team’s opponent on Thursday, Tunisia.
“Never thought I’d come to Kansas City for anything, but I love it, though,” Elsahari said. “We are here to party with both the Dutch and Tunisians. It’s about the sport, having fun and enjoying each other.”
His predictions for the game?
“6-1, but I won’t tell you who is in favor of whom,” he said.
A spirit of community and support for the advancement of soccer in America has been a theme during the early rounds of the World Cup, and it resonated through Thursday’s jubilant crowd.
The most prevalent colors, aside from orange, were green and red.
Numerous Mexican fans were in attendance to remind the Dutch that they were robbed in 2014, when a controversial penalty in the 92nd minute was awarded to Netherlands player Arjen Robben, leading to a 2-1 loss that sent Mexico home in the Round of 16.
Some 4,379 days later, Mexican fans aren’t as angry, but they won’t miss a chance to give Dutch fans a hard time about it.
A few held signs reading “No Era Penal” (”It wasn’t a penalty”). As people walked past, some said “No era penal” in solidarity; others said “Si era penal” (roughly, ”Yes it was”) in playful defiance.
Renee Alvarez came to the parade from Omaha, Nebraska, to troll Dutch fans and celebrate with everyone else.
Though he believes his team was shortchanged 12 years ago, he said he was a Netherlands fan for the day.
“It’s meant to give them a little bit of crap, but it’s all in good fun,” Alvarez said. “I’ve met a few Dutch people, but this is my first time meeting the fanatics. They’re great people, just like everyone else in the world.”
For Kansas City Fire Department paramedic Fidel Cervantes, the event was a cant-miss experience. He, too, held a “No Era Penal” sign, adorned with a Deontay Wilder “to this day” meme.
“The person who faked his penalty, I used to love him, but I lost a little love after that,” Cervantes said. “I still messed with the Netherlands people, though.
“The entire World Cup is just a vibe. Everyone supports their team, but we are all still friendly about it. We're all trying to get to know each other’s culture. Before today, I’d never met any Dutch people.”
As he gazed out into the sea of orange, Cervantes epitomized why this moment is so special — not only for the Dutch, but for every visiting nation, their fans and native Kansas Citians, as well.
“When are you ever going to see something like this again?” he said.