Kansas City is gearing up for a festive weekend as the city prepares to host the premiere of Hallmark's "Chiefs Christmas." The heartwarming holiday movie, starring Brooke D'Orsay and Daniel Lissing, is set to air on the Hallmark Channel on November 26th.
In anticipation of the movie's release, Kansas City is rolling out a weekend-long celebration. On Saturday, November 19th, there will be a tailgate party at Arrowhead Stadium, featuring live music, food trucks, and a special appearance by the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders.
On Sunday, November 20th, a red carpet premiere of the movie will be held at the Kansas City Convention Center. The event will be attended by the cast and crew, as well as Chiefs players and legends.
The premiere of "Chiefs Christmas" is expected to have a significant economic impact on Kansas City. According to the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the event is projected to generate over $5 million in revenue for local businesses.
"This is a huge opportunity for Kansas City to showcase itself to a national audience," said Bill Finn, chairman of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. "We're expecting a lot of visitors from all over the country."
Beyond the economic benefits, the premiere of "Chiefs Christmas" is also a source of pride for Kansas City. The movie highlights the city's love of football and its strong sense of community.
"This movie is a love letter to Kansas City," said D'Orsay, who plays the lead role. "It's a heartwarming and inspiring story about the importance of family, friends, and community."
As part of the festivities, Hallmark Channel has partnered with the Kansas City Chiefs to host a toy drive. Fans are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to the tailgate party or the premiere event. The toys will be donated to local children in need.
"We're thrilled to be able to give back to the Kansas City community," said Lissing. "This is a special place, and we're honored to be part of it."
The premiere of "Chiefs Christmas" is just the beginning of what is expected to be a long-term partnership between Hallmark Channel and the Kansas City Chiefs. The two organizations are currently working on a second movie, set to air in November 2024.
"We're excited to continue our relationship with the Kansas City Chiefs," said JoAnn Alfano, vice president of programming for Hallmark Channel. "This is a city that loves football and loves Christmas. It's the perfect place to set our movies."