The Oranje Fanwalk has begun!
The classic Dutch tradition is underway in Kansas City as “De beroemde Oranjebus” (“The Famous Orange Bus”) and legions of orange-clad Netherlands fans parade from the Power & Light District to the FIFA Fan Festival at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
It all leads up to 6 p.m., when the Netherlands and Tunisia face off for Kansas City's next World Cup match at Arrowhead Stadium, which has been renamed Kansas City Stadium.
The fanwalk tradition started in 2004, out of a spur-of-the-moment idea, and has grown to become a symbol of Dutch fan culture. Featuring a DJ booth and bumping sound system, the vehicle and fanwalk that follows typically attract thousands of fans.
For the past 22 years, the bus has covered over 70,000 kilometers and led more than 450,000 fans in the festivities. It has now arrived in Kansas City, which serves as the Netherlands national team's base camp for the World Cup.
Brothers Johan Competner and Klaas Compegner stood out at the fanwalk in their matching orange suits and top hats, ready to celebrate the World Cup team of their home country. And how many of these fanwalks have they been to in their lifetime?
"In my lifetime? Ooh..." one exclaimed, thinking.
"A lot!" the other said. "Since 2004, (nearly) all the World Cup or European Cups."
The pair then listed all the places where they're attended the Oranje Fanwalk: Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, Ukraine, Brazil, Germany (again) and many others.
There's a significant chance of rain and thunderstorms, but that didn't dampen their excitement for the day. The brothers will attend the evening match — and have their rain jackets ready. ("Orange, of course!" one of them said of their rain jackets.)
Local cyclist Joe Young joined Jeff Dayton and Janet Dye to visit the Oranje Fanwalk. He noted that cycling culture is big in the Netherlands, but he also just wanted to jump at the chance to see the famous tradition in action.
"One of my friends lived in Austria for a while, and he said, 'Everybody’s got to see this at some point in their life,' so this is my chance," he said.
Dayton said the event was just as he imagined it would be.
"This is exactly what I expect Kansas City people to be like, to come out here and embrace and have a good time," he said.
The fanwalk even drew supporters of the Netherlands national team’s opponents.
Ali Hamza is originally from Tunisia and was in Kansas City on Thursday to attend the World Cup match. But he couldn’t resist the fanwalk for its atmosphere and welcoming attitude of Dutch fans.
“They’re the best people in the world who know how to party,” he said. “It’s going to be an amazing, amazing day.”
Hamza expected the Netherlands to prevail over Tunisia on Thursday night, but that wasn’t bothering him.
“I’m not here to chase glory,” he said. “I’m here to support my country and have fun with people and meet new people and enjoy the World Cup.”
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
