Christmas came early for Kansas City as "Good Morning America" unveiled a KC-themed holiday window in their Times Square Studios in New York City on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

The window showcases Kansas City’s holiday traditions, which create a Season of Magic for visitors each winter. The holiday-themed window continues "GMA's" tradition of decorating its studio windows. Kansas City joins Atlanta and Denver to be featured in the Times Square Studios this year.

The Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association initiated the project, collaborating with Hallmark Cards to build Kansas City's elaborate display, complete with moving parts and lights.

Scott Butterfield, trend consultant and Hallmark employee for 20 years, used Hallmark's Keepsake Ornaments for inspiration as he incorporated iconic Kansas City scenes to build the window. The window includes five oversize ornaments that depict Kansas City scenes, including the Mayor's Christmas Tree and the J.C. Nichols Fountain. With nearly 200 LED lights, the Kansas City holiday display used almost a half pound of specially formulated iridescent flitter to create a sparkling snow effect.

The holiday window will serve as a backdrop for "GMA" until Dec. 31.

Design Elements

• The largest ornament is 4 feet tall.
• A holiday red finish was achieved on each of the five oversized ornaments by applying 12 coats of automotive lacquer—more coats than most vehicles get.
• The vignettes inside each ornament feature almost 200 LED lights, with more than a hundred in the Country Club Plaza Season of Lights scene alone.
• A Keepsake Ornament sculpting expert created the miniature skaters in the Crown Center Ice Terrace vignette. They are all hand painted and finished.
• Twenty four man-hours of application and hand rubbing were needed on each of the gold and silver-leaf ornaments, which surround the vignettes, to create a warm glow similar to mercury glass.
• More than 400 glass ornaments cover the floor of the window.

Hallmark + Kansas City = "GMA" Holiday Classic

Kansas City-based Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II helped unveil the holiday window to the nation. The holiday window is located in "Good Morning America's" Times Square Studios. It will be on display until Dec. 31.

And, the drum roll - please.

The grand unveiling of the Kansas City holiday window.

A few festive snow flakes to welcome KC to NYC.

Pictured (left to right): Hallmark artist Scott Butterfield, "GMA" anchor Robin Roberts, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II and "GMA" anchor Chris Cuomo.

Kansas City Hits the Big Apple
The Kansas City-themed holiday window on Times Square.

Kansas City Jazz
Jazz was born in New Orleans, but grew up in Kansas City when city leaders ignored Prohibition and jazz artists flocked to the city for gigs. The jazz legacy still lives today at the American Jazz Museum and nightclubs that play jazz nightly.

Downtown Kansas City
Downtown Kansas City has undergone a remarkable transformation with $5 billion in development over the last few years. The new eight-block Kansas City Power & Light District offers more than 40 restaurants and bars.

The Mayor’s Christmas Tree at Crown Center
Crown Center is a shopping and entertainment center owned by Hallmark Cards. The Mayor’s Christmas tree is a century old tradition. The tree features more than 7,200 white lights and stands 100 feet tall.

Crown Center Ice Terrace
The Ice Terrace - now in its 36th season - is Kansas City's only public, outdoor ice skating rink.
 

Country Club Plaza’s Season of Lights & J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain
Nation’s first suburban shopping district designed for the car. Season of Lights is in its 79th year. More than 80 miles of lights outline the 14-block district.