Waldo replaces Fall Festival with Waldo Walk
By Zakery Finley
Photo Everything Waldo video
For the past 27 years, Waldo merchants have hosted an annual Fall Festival. Due to current circumstances and social distancing regulations, the Waldo CID, called Everything Waldo, has resorted to a Waldo Walk in place of their annual Fall Festival. “It’s pretty difficult to social distance at a festival”, said Kathryn Snellen, owner of Kathryn Elise Studio. “One thing we’ve heard from our community is their desire to get out and engage in activities and experience things.”
The Waldo Walk gives participants the choice to experience Waldo businesses virtually or in-person over the course of a 6-mile route through the Waldo neighborhood. Those registered can visit the participating businesses to receive special rewards or use the app to receive promotional codes and offers, plus chances to win prizes. Participants of this event can walk, run, bike, stroll, dance – it doesn’t matter. But they must track their own miles no matter where they are taking their steps (even at-home).
One new feature of this year’s Waldo Walk is that it will span over the course of a week instead of being confined to a single day. The Waldo Walk starts September 19, at 8 a.m. and continues until 8 p.m. on September 26.
The Waldo Walk seeks to promote exercise by offering special deals and discounts at local Waldo businesses.. Seventeen businesses are to participate, including: Artist KC, Bier Station, The Collar Club, Crows Coffee Waldo, Geo’s Cheese, Gunter Pest and Lawn, Hawthorn and lvy Waldo, Kansas City Bier Company, KC Water, McLain’s Bakery, Mike’s Wine and Spirits KC, Pilates 1901, Pistachios Monogramming & Gifts, ReeceNichols, Strip’s Chicken, Waldo Greenhouse aka Angelo’s Nursery, and Waldo Pizza.
Participants can sign-up solo or create a team for accountability for only $10 a person at waldokc.org.