Tim Squires of Independence, Missouri, talks about his family’s tailgating bus they call “Showtime.” The bus is filled with photos and knickknacks to mark the good times celebrated during their tailgating parties. BY DOMINICK WILLIAMS People of the Kingdom: This story is part of The Star’s ongoing series highlighting what makes Kansas City Chiefs fans a special part of the team’s success and history. Looking for more? Sign up for our free Chiefs newsletter. People like to hold onto the good times in all sorts of ways. For Independence resident Tim Squires and his family, their good times are enshrined in a former school bus they’ve named “Showtime.”
The good times the bus preserves are those made when the family is in the parking lot at Arrowhead Stadium tailgating for Kansas City Chiefs games. On the outside, the small bus is painted white and is covered in bits of Chiefs imagery. Inside, the bus is like a scrapbook of Squires’ family history as Chiefs fans. Nearly any space that a photo can be attached has one. Red and gold upholstered seats are arranged for family time gathering, not in rows like usually found on a bus. There’s even a bathroom sectioned off by a curtain in a rear corner. Squires says his mother is continuously adding things to the collection of items on the bus. A recent addition to the gallery of images is a comical rendition of Chiefs fullback Carson Steele riding an alligator. Much has been made of the rookie from Ball State since he shared that he has a pet alligator named Crocky-J. A fan since he was four years old, Squires says he is relishing the success the Chiefs are having now. He says his fandom started around the post-Joe Montana years into the Derrick Thomas era when his love for the Chiefs really solidified. Being a fan through the rough seasons before coach Andy Reid arrived has helped Squires have an appreciation for the team’s most recent era of winning. “Family and community and barbecue you know—and sticking it out through the hard times. Whether we’re right here at Arrowhead or across the street at Kauffman (Stadium), we’ve had hard times here in Kansas City when I was growing up,” Squires said while standing in his bus. “It’s been a nice decade. I hope it keeps going.” Watch the video to learn more about Squires and his bus.
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