KSHB 41 reporter Ryan Gamboa covers Miami County in Kansas and Cass County in Missouri. He also covers agricultural topics. Share your story idea with Ryan. He spent Thanksgiving night on a Kansas City streetcar talking to passengers about how much easier it was to get to the Plaza Lighting Ceremony. He also found out more people likely attended the ceremony because of the ease of taking the streetcar to the iconic shopping district.—
The Kansas City streetcar’s recent expansion that includes the Country Club Plaza is drawing larger crowds to one of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions — the annual Plaza Lighting Ceremony.
Hours before the ceremony began, the streetcar was already transporting visitors from across the metro area and beyond to witness the iconic display of lights that has captivated Kansas City for decades.
“I think it’s just going to bring more people down here, and open up the community more to the Plaza lights,” said Caroline Hogan, a public relations representative for the Country Club Plaza.
The free streetcar service, which now connects the River Market south to UMKC, has become a popular transportation option for both locals and tourists…