KSHB 41 reporter Lily O’Shea Becker covers Franklin and Douglas counties in Kansas. Share your story idea with Lily.
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In 1995, Joe and Grace Garcia started an Opening Day tradition at Kauffman Stadium that four generations of their family continue to celebrate.
"It’s special in the fact that they’re no longer here and we’re able to keep doing it," Christian Garcia, their son, said at the Royals' home opener on Monday.
The couple has since passed, but their five children — Christian, Rosanne, Francine, Tom and Joe — continue to throw the tailgate that's grown from 25 people to about 65.
Dolores, Grace's sister, is over 90 years old and remembers Opening Day games at Municipal Stadium.
“I do enjoy it, and I feel that as long as I can do it, I’m going to be coming out here," she said.
Joe and Grace's grandchildren remember being dressed in their Royals gear and getting picked up from school early for Opening Day games.
“I mean, we obviously miss our grandparents a lot," said Elizabeth Bartlett, Joe and Grace's granddaughter. "They started this tradition, so I feel like we want to carry it on and have our kids carry it on, too."
The tradition also celebrates the family's Mexican heritage. Instead of hot dogs, the tailgate offers burritos, and a Mexican flag flies overhead.
“We also have the Mexican flag that we fly every time, it’s part of our heritage," said Tom Garcia, Joe and Grace's son. "Also, to signal to our friends, that’s how they find us.”
There are no curveballs at the Garcia tailgate. Every year, they end the tradition the same way — with a group photo and a toast to Joe and Grace.
“Twenty years from now, I hope my kids, my grandkids are standing here doing this toast. But, if I’m around, I’ll be here," Christian Garcia said during his toast.
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