THS freshman Allison Bailey’s rendering recently was named a finalist for the 2024 Kansas City Cauldron Scarf Design Contest. Her rendering was among seven finalists that online users picked from for this year’s winning scarf.

KC Cauldron announced that Allison’s scarf was the people’s choice Friday morning.

“Well I was very excited,” Allison said. “I was jumping up and down.

“Both of my dads have had cauldron memberships for awhile bringing me to the games. We just started getting more and more involved in the community.”

Her father, Nathan Bailey, recounted hearing the news alongside Allison.

“First reaction was a lot of excitement,” Nathan said. “We both jumped up and hugged and couldn’t believe it. Second, I couldn’t help but express how proud I was of her and her growth with her artwork.”

Designing a scarf

KC Cauldron web page

The Cauldron is the seating area in the north section of Children’s Mercy Park, home to Sporting Kansas City.

“I like all the energy everyone brings when we’re there,” Allison said. I love all the chants. It’s just a lot of hype.”

Allison, who has been attending matches for the last three or four years with her family, said this was the first year she had heard about the annual scarf contest.

“So I had a lot of ideas at the time, but after a couple hours of thinking, I found a pair of scissors on my desk and it kind of gave me inspiration.” she said.

When it came to a slogan for the scarf, Allison’s stepfather, Matt Hall, pitched a chant for her consideration.

“We Bring the Ruckus” was the suggestion.

And it stuck.

Scarf designs were limited to five colors, per the contest rules. Allison went with the traditional Sporting KC colors: Sporting Blue (a light blue) and Dark Indigo (a dark blue). The KC Cauldron logos are gray on white clouds on one side of the scarf with white “CAULDRON” letters emblazoned on a Sporting Blue background hugged surrounded by Dark Indigo to give a thunderstorm effect.

The other side of the scarf reads “WE BRING THE RUCKUS” in white over the storm brewing in the two shades of blue. “20” and “24” or on either end of the scarf atop more “clouds.”

Allison said of the fonts she considered, this particular one had a certain loudness about it.

“It just caught my eye,” she said. “It was one that would bring the ruckus.”

Allison said she participates in choir and theater at THS. Art continues to be a growing passion for her.

“i really like doing lots of arts things,” she explained. “I’ve tried to compete in a couple other art contests.

“I’ve been thinking about doing art as a profession for awhile.”

Family tradition

The THS freshman is the daughter of Nathan and Anna Bailey and Matt and Perri Hall.

As part of her winning entry, Allison receives three scarves and annual membership in KC Cauldron.

In recent years the trips to Children’s Mercy Park have been a family affair, according to Nathan.

“I’ve been a fan for several years, but never really got chances to go,” he said. “Her stepdad Matt is a season ticket holder and I started going to games with him a few years ago.

“We’ve been going to almost every home game since. Being a member of the Cauldron is a great because the energy down there is incredible and just makes the experience that much better.”

Membership for the KC Cauldron club, which is $35, doesn’t require purchase of season tickets in the Cauldron section, but does grant access to tickets in the Cauldron, discounts on merchandise and the exclusive opportunity to obtain Allison’s winning scarf. Deadline to receive the scarf as part of 2024 membership is Feb. 2. For more information about membership, visit kccauldron.com.

Sporting Kansas City opens the season Feb. 24 at defending Major League Soccer champion Houston Dynamo FC.

The first time fans might see Allison’s scarf design at Children’s Mercy Park will be March 2 when the Philadelphia Soul comes to KCK.

“I know a lot of my friends have told me ‘oh my gosh, people are going to be wearing your design,'” Allison noted. “It’s really hard to imagine.”

CAULDRON MEMBERSHIP

Everyone who signs up for membership in the KC Cauldron group (good through Dec. 31, 2024) receives various perks, including:

*2024 Membership Scarf (included this year, if purchased by Feb. 2)

*Access to purchase Cauldron tickets to each home match (while supplies last)

*No SeatGeek or TicketMaster Fees on tickets purchased through The Cauldron

*Free Tailgate Drinks – Outdoor/Indoor

*Discounts on Cauldron Merchandise

*Exclusive Cauldron Events: Membership Card/Scarf Pickup Party, Holiday Party

*Exclusive Cauldron Merchandise

*Access to complementary away tickets, where available

*Discounts at participating partners

*2 Sporting Open Trainings for Cauldron Members (dates TBD)

*A Cauldron Town Hall with SKC coach Peter Vermes (date TBD)

*A Cauldron Town Hall with SKC president and CEO Jake Reid (date TBD)