KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The coronavirus pandemic shut down most businesses and entertainment districts in the Kansas City metro, but some are slowly reopening and resuming normal activities as restrictions lift.
On Saturday, the Kansas City River Market was buzzing with activity.
"Everyone seems like they’re having a good time, makes me feel happier to see that," River Market resident Hilary Stanley said.
At the KC Streetcar stop on Delaware Street, a row of local artists showed off their work in the first ever Pop-Ups OnDelaware event.
"There’s a great sense of community on Delaware Street," organizer Estella Luttrell said, "and we just wanted to bring some more excitement and more flavor to the street and give people the opportunity to see art in another way."
Luttrell was inspired by First Fridays in the Crossroads and wanted to bring a little bit of that vibe to the River Market.
It was a chance for some local artists to showcase their work.
"Athletic wear, sun glasses, hats accessories, pretty much a full brand like jeans," said Reggie Banks with SAGII.
Artist Jennifer Roberts said people like the event.
"They can see it in person, they can touch it, they can flip through the cards and things like that and I think that’s important for people," Roberts said.
It's something the artists couldn't do before, as COVID-19 restrictions hampered any face-to-face interactions.
"My New Years resolution was, 'I’m going to do some art events this year, 'and then, of course, the pandemic happened and so many things are getting canceled."
Luttrell said that there are no events to go to, but with Pop-Ups OnDelaware, "it’s fun to get out and meet with people and talk art and talk design."
Many people stopped to look at the items, including Stanley who bought a couple postcards and a picture from a couple of the vendors.
"I just thought it was a great way to support local artists that maybe haven’t had an outlet to sell their products for the past few months," Stanley said.
The event lasted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and will take place at the same time on Sunday.
Luttrell told 41 Action News she wants to hold these event the second Saturday and Sunday of the month until October in the same location.
