A sea of orange paraded through Kansas City on Thursday as legions of Netherlands fans marched alongside “De beroemde Oranjebus” (“The Famous Orange Bus”) to prepare for the evening's World Cup match against Tunisia.
The famous Oranje Fanwalk filled the streets from the Power & Light District to the FIFA Fan Festival, on the grounds of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, as thousands of orange-clad Dutch fans (and a few supporters of their opponents) celebrated their national team.
@kcur893 An Orange Wave hit Kansas City on Thursday 🇳🇱 🟠 🇹🇳 Before thunderstorms closed down the Fan Festival, thousands of Netherlands fans, local residents and even some Tunisia supporters took to the streets to participate in a decades-old tradition, the Oranje Fanwalk. Kansas City was the latest World Cup host city to welcome the march and the iconic orange double-decker bus, which the Dutch call “De beroemde Oranjebus,” before a Netherlands match. KCUR Studios producers Suzanne Hogan and Seth Jahraus joined fans as they began their parade from Power & Light to the Fan Festival, and asked them their feelings about the match and their experiences visiting Kansas City. 🎤 Interviews & some footage by Suzanne Hogan & Seth Seth Jahraus 🎬 Other footage & production by Zach Perez 💻 Edited by Gabe Rosenberg #kansascity #worldcup #netherlands #tunisia ♬ original sound - KCUR - Kansas City
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 for the tournament.
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 Compegner 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.”
Tunisia supporter Amine Bayoudh echoed that sentiment.
"Win or lose, we’re going to have fun," he said.
And no matter how Thursday's match turns out, he said he was enjoying his time in Kansas City.
"I love the hospitality," he said. "From the airport to here, everybody is welcoming. Everybody is making sure we’re comfortable. We don’t need to ask for anything, they ask us if we need anything."
Ismael Covington with the Shabboz Entertainment Inc. is hosting an after-party for Tunisian fans. He said he wants to create a safe place for North Africans, Black people and Americans to network and share their cultures.
He’s picking up Tunisian fans at the airport Thursday afternoon and is cheering the team on.
“We'll be rooting for them screaming and yelling,” Covington said. “I think it's extraordinary for them to make it, you know, over some of the things they've been through.”
Covington said they’ll have a party, regardless of the score, at Level at 3424 Main St. in Kansas City. Tickets are $50 and doors open at 8 p.m.
KCUR's Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga contributed to this report.
