Hearne: Buckle Up, Saturday Night Could Get Bumpy on the Plaza

This is it, baby…

The first warm, dry Saturday since the Plaza Riot early last month. Which, according to observers familiar with Kansas City urban youth wildings of recent years, well could mean the city is in store for Round Two of the Nightmare on Brush Creek.

“I think it’s going to be a big weekend this weekend,” says KC Strip party trolley honcho Bill Nigro. “The weather is supposed to be goof – warm and dry. I think it’s going to be a big Saturday, plus we’re having the Candy Strippers riding the trolleys Friday so that should be interesting.”

The last time Nigro had a big, warm Saturday night, he got caught up in a police state nightmare on the Plaza.

All that said, Kansas City Police will be at the ready, KCPD captain Rich Lockhart says.

“I’m not aware of any special plans, but we’re always ready,” Lockhart says. “Should something happen, we’ll be ready.”

So might Saturday Night on the Plaza be special…as in problematic?

“No, it’s not riot weather, it’s not hot enough,” says longtime Westport nightclub owner Craig Glazer. “It’s got to be 10 degrees hotter – I mean, we’ll see – it’s possible. And if it’s 11 pm and it’s 80 it’s possible but the (kids) like it best if it’s flat hot. Like in the 90s. And by nighttime (this Saturday) it’ll probably be in the 70s and windy.

“Of course, it’s (near) the end of school, so that could help them, getting out of school will help. Help them start trouble is what I mean. The rioters aren’t done , they’ll be back. They really haven’t started yet.”

This just in from KSHB weather wonk Gary Lezak: look for Saturday to be mostly sunny with a high around 86 degrees.

Riot weather? Maybe.

“If it’s still around 80 at 11 p.m. Saturday, it could happen,” Glazer hedges.