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Thousands attend Celebration at the Station

Posted at 10:35 PM, May 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-30 08:11:58-04

Organizers of “Celebration at the Station” expected a crowd of 50,000 people Sunday.

The event, presented by the Kansas City Symphony, is the largest free Memorial Day weekend event in the Midwest.

Many in the crowd took advantage of the new streetcar to avoid parking near busy Union Station.

“It seemed like the most expedient way to get there with less traffic,” Jeff Bein of Overland Park said.

Dean and Becky Phillip drove into Kansas City for the long weekend from Lincoln, Nebraska. They used the city’s new streetcar to see other city sights as well.

“We drove from the Argosy down to Union Station to park and then rode from there,” Dean Phillip said.

“We came down here to see what the marketplace, City Market look liked, Becky Phillip added. "Kind of tour the city because we’ve never been here before.”

The celebration started at 1 p.m. with a picnic on the north lawn of the National WWI Museum.

The day ended with a free performance by the Kansas City Symphony and fireworks.