92nd Annual Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony Returns with Kansas City Current set to ‘Flip the Switch’ to Kick Off the Holiday Season this Thanksgiving

KMBC will again host the live broadcast

Schedule
5–6 p.m.: Pre-lighting performances and giveaways from the main stage
6–7 p.m.: 92nd Annual Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony, featuring Lara Moritz (broadcast LIVE on KMBC)
6:52 p.m.: Flip of the switch by Kansas City Current, followed by fireworks
7–8 p.m.: Post-ceremony concert by Summer Breeze

KANSAS CITY (Nov. 11, 2021) - The Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony returns on Thursday, November 25, celebrating 92 years as a beloved Thanksgiving traditon in Kansas City.

Fresh off an historical inaugural season, which included the announcement of a $70 million stadium which is the first purpose-built stadium for professional women’s soccer, a new $15 million training facility for the team, and an exciting brand reveal from KC NWSL to the Kansas City Current, we are so proud to now have the opportunity to “flip the switch” illuminating Country Club Plaza. Ceremony partner KMBC will again present the live broadcast that starts at 6 p.m. with Lara Moritz as host.

“We’re on a mission to elevate women’s sports and make a difference in the Kansas City community,” said KC Current Co-Founder and Co-Owner Angie Long. “Participating in this iconic celebration on the Plaza is an honor and our team cannot wait to celebrate the holiday and the city that we love.”

“We’ve seen exciting momentum around the Kansas City Current, and they’ve represented our city so well both on the field and off. We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome the team as the switch flipper for the ceremony,” said Country Club Plaza General Manager Kasey Vena. “Having these amazing athletes in this role will bring great energy and excitement to an event that’s always so meaningful and memorable for our community.”

Scheduled to attend the celebration for the Current are:

• Goalkeeper Tristin Stuteville
• Defender Elizabeth Ball
• Defender Sydney Miramontez
• Defender/Midfielder Kristen Edmonds
• Forward Kristen Hamilton
• Forward Jaycie Johnson

In addition to the time-honored flipping of the switch, the show will feature performances by Quixotic, Musical Theater Heritage, Summer Breeze and others, in addition to fireworks. Once lit this year, the Evergy Plaza Lights will shine nightly through January 9, 2022.

“The anticipation is building for the Plaza’s annual illumination,” said Chuck Caisley, chief customer officer for Evergy. “We’re excited to partner again with the Plaza for this community tradition that signifies the start of the holiday season and draws so many people to the Kansas City region.”

Added Sarah Smith, president and general manager of KMBC and KCWE: “Whether the community watches the show in-person or through our live broadcast, they will see all of the fun experiences, interviews, holiday performances and, of course, the Plaza’s spectacular lights that signify to us all the start of the holiday season.”

Best Views and Parking

The stage will be located at the intersection of Nichols Road and Pennsylvania, with the best views along Nichols Road between Pennsylvania and Broadway. Free parking will also be offered at several nearby garages, including:  

• Valencia Garage (by H&M) on the north side of 47th Street and Pennsylvania
• Balcony Garage on Wornall near 46th Street
• Seville Garage, entrance on 47th Street between Jefferson and Summit
• Time Building Garage north of True Food Kitchen on Pennsylvania

Stay up to date with all things Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony by following the Country Club Plaza on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visiting the Plaza’s website.

About Country Club Plaza

Originally constructed in 1922, Country Club Plaza is an iconic, 15-block, 1.3 million-square-foot mixed-use retail property located in the heart of Kansas City. The property includes 804,000 square feet of Gross Leasable Area (GLA) featuring unique-to-market tenants, with key retailers such as Apple, Kate Spade New York, Charlie Hustle, West Elm and Lululemon, as well as a dynamic mix of restaurants, including The Capital Grille, Rye and True Food Kitchen.

About Evergy, Inc.

Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) serves approximately 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. We were formed in 2018 when long-term local energy providers KCP&L and Westar Energy merged. We generate nearly half the power we provide to homes and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live, work and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.

About KMBC

KMBC is honored to have served Heartland viewers since its first broadcast in 1953. An ABC affiliate, KMBC also airs top syndicated shows like Ellen, ET, Tamron Hall and more. KMBC 9 News produces more than 50 hours of news and informational programming each week on KMBC and its sister station, KCWE. KMBC 9 News has been recognized as the best TV news operation in Kansas and Missouri for six consecutive years by the Radio Television Digital News Association. Both KMBC and KCWE are owned by Hearst Television. Hearst Television owns and operates 33 television and two radio stations serving 26 media markets across 39 states reaching over 21 million U.S. television households. Through its partnership with nearly all the major networks, Hearst Television distributes national content over nearly 70 video channels, including programming from ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, MY Net, MeTV, This TV, Estrella and more. The radio stations are leaders in Baltimore news/talk and rock music listenership. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry’s premier companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst.

About the Kansas City Current

Founded in December 2020, the Kansas City Current is led by the ownership group of Angie Long, Chris Long and Brittany Matthews. The team competes in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and played its first season in 2021. The Kansas City Current has announced plans for the first stadium purpose-built for an NWSL team with expected completion in 2024. The team will play in 2022 at Children’s Mercy Park. For more information, visit KansasCityCurrent.com.