All-America City Contest: It's a Small World in Kansas City

Update: Follow the ceremony on live stream beginning at 5p.m. Friday on www.allamericacityaward.com.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A day that began with nervous excitement and a successful presentation ended with a round of “It’s A Small World,” as the Dublin delegation finished its most important day at the in Kansas City.

Dublin’s , a takeoff on the Wizard of Oz that included all 31 members of the delegation, went off without a hitch Thursday and received great feedback from the judges, event organizers and other city delegations.

Councilwoman Kasie Hildenbrand said she was extremely pleased.

“The Dublin delegation gave an outstanding performance,” Hildenbrand said. “Each and every one represented our community with true spirit. We are looking forward to the awards ceremony tomorrow night.”

Of the 23 cities competing, 10 will be awarded All-America City status in Friday night’s closing ceremony. The All-America City Awards are sponsored by the National Civic League. Dublin is competing as a finalist for the second straight year.

Aside from the serious business of competing, Dublin delegates are finding that it truly is a small world.

Connie Mack, a longtime Dublin resident and member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, was born and raised in South Bend, Ind. She has two siblings who live there, and her nephew owns a restaurant in the city.

She was thrilled to see that South Bend was among the finalists in Kansas City.

But she was even more thrilled to find out that there are members of the delegation who know her family and that some of the younger members of the South Bend group attend Washington High School, where she and her seven siblings attended high school.

“It’s mind-boggling,” Mack said with a big smile.

She took a front row seat for South Bend’s presentation before the All-America jury panel and rocked out when the drumline came in.

Dublin delegate and school board President Dan Cunningham recognized a clergyman he knew from Torrance.

And then there are those random Facebook connections. I posted a photo of our group on the social networking site and then heard from a friend who asked, “Are you part of some competition there? I have a friend from high school from Kenai, Alaska, and she’s posting similar pictures.”

So I went and found the Kenai group and tracked down my friend’s friend. We took a picture together, of course, and posted it on Facebook.

Thursday night’s schedule includes a cultural fair that will feature two members of Dublin's McGrath Irish Dancers, and then it’s a waiting game for Friday night’s results.

 Click here to watch Thursday morning's Wizard of Oz performance. 

Michelle McDonald is one of the Dublin delegates in Kansas City. She will continue to provide updates on the event on Dublin Patch.