By Brenna Eller
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Fairgoers endured the stormy weather on Friday for Kansas Lottery Chiefs Red Friday at the Kansas State Fair. The day was filled with people sporting Kansas City Chiefs gear and there was a long line for the viewing of the Chief’s Championship Super Bowl LVII Trophy at the House of Capper.
The Rumble Drumline entertained the crowd waiting in line, amping up the energy for the celebration later in the evening with K.C. Wolf and Blane Howard.
Piano Man Dennis Laffoon and Jadynce Jean performed at the Peoples Bank Arena Friday afternoon. Laffoon is from Kansas City and was wearing a Chiefs jersey and said, “Go Chiefs,” after performing Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire.”
Once the trophy viewing came to an end, Kevin Rule from Hutchinson’s Sleep Shoppe and Furniture Gallery (sponsor of Friday’s Chiefs events) introduced the Rumble Drumline, who came back on stage as well as K.C. Wolf and Ike the Buffalo, wearing a Patrick Mahomes jersey under his overalls. While the drumline played, Ike and K.C. danced and made the audience laugh. They also took pictures and hugged fans before and after the show.
Blane Howard, who has also been widely known as a lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan, performed at the Peoples Bank and Trust Arena at 7 p.m.
Howard shared some of his older songs, like his first released single from 2011, “She’s a Mess”, 2015 hit song, “Crazy” and Howard also shared a soon-to-be-released song in November called, “Same Dirt.”
Howard also sang covers from artists that he said shaped him into the singer he is today, such as Tim McGraw, Brooks and Dunn and George Straight.
He also sang his song, “Promise to Love Her”, that he said means a lot to him because he and his wife will be celebrating seven years of marriage next month.
“We now have two beautiful daughters as well,” Howard said.
The songs that many in the crowd came to hear on Friday night, judging by the cheers that they received when Howard started playing them were the Chiefs parodies and songs that many in the area have recognized him for.
Before he started playing a new one, he said, “How about them…” And the crowd yelled back, “CHIEFS!” And he told his band they were ready to play.
At his merchandise table, Howard was also doing raffles for autographed footballs by Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
