Parade of Hearts features Bob Guardado’s daughter and granddaughters.
Kansas City has witnessed some magnificent parades over the years … the World Series parade, the Super Bowl parade, the CowParade, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade … and now the Parade of Hearts.
On March 6, Kansas Citians will show the rest of the country the Midwest symbolizes love and unity. The Parade of Hearts, a public art experience designed to unite our region, will feature more than 150 five-foot by five-foot fiberglass hearts placed at various locations around the city. The hearts are original artwork based on the iconic KC Heart.
Three of those artists are related to CCB courier Bob Guardado. His daughter, Brooke Jiskra, and his two granddaughters, Jade and London Jiskra, have designed hearts based on causes that are very dear to their own hearts.
The inspiration for Brooke’s heart came from the loss of her sister to COVID-19. Titled “Broken Hearted,” her heart features the photos of more than 20 people who lost their lives to the disease as well as handwritten notes. It is a tribute to her sister and anyone else who lost loved ones during the pandemic. She hopes the heart will bring healing to those who need it.
Sisters Jade, age 9, and London, age 7, designed an interactive heart containing 80 hidden dog bones, balls of yarn and furry friends that people looking at the heart can find. They hope their heart is placed somewhere close to a shop for pets.
The competition attracted 700 design entries. The Jiskra’s entries were among 154 hearts selected for display. The Parade of Hearts will run through May 7, and an auction for the hearts will be held in June.
Beneficiaries are those who have been greatly impacted by the pandemic and its consequences: the arts community (artists will receive a stipend for their design), health and wellness (The University of Kansas Health System), education (MARC), small/minority-owned businesses (AltCap fund), and hospitality and tourism (Visit KC).
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