Annie Gnojek, Lawrence, shops for a K.C. Royals World Series t-shirt for her father, Monday, Oct. 20, 2014 outside Jock's Nitch Sporting Goods, 916 Massachusetts St. Gnojek said her father has a baseball signed by the 1985 Royals team. He sat the ball next to him and rubbed it for good luck while watching the Royals first 2014 post-season win against the Oakland A's. The Royals have gone undefeated since that game and will meet the San Francisco Giants in the World Series starting tonight.

For 29 years, the month of October provided no occasion for Kansas City-area sports fans to flash their Royals gear. This time of year in Lawrence, with Kansas University football in midseason and men’s basketball on the horizon, any blue apparel worn about town is usually emblazoned with Jayhawks.

These days, though, there’s suddenly a lot more “KC” imprinted on those blue hats and shirts.

“I still can’t believe it’s happening again,” said Andy Craig, an engineering technician and Royals fan of four decades. “I didn’t think it would, but they proved me wrong. Getting this far is unbelievable.”

Fifty miles west of Kauffman Stadium, the Royals’ tidal wave of glee has swept over Lawrence and beyond. Apparel is flying off shelves. Bars are losing elbow room. And the chatter surrounding the dreamy 8-0 playoff run, and first World Series appearance since the 1985 wonder-year, is the most infectious thing going around.

The buzz is impossible to avoid in public. Even local government officials — city, county and school district — couldn’t help themselves as they congregated for meetings last week.

Just prior to last Monday’s Lawrence school board meeting, officials breathed sighs of relief that Game 3 of the semifinal series was rained out and they wouldn’t have to miss it. In between two County Commission meetings last Wednesday, one commissioner watched the conclusion of Game 4 on a tablet device and summed up their amazement thusly:

“(Expletive) me, the Royals are going to the World Series.”

It’s all created bubbly atmospheres inside Lawrence’s pubs. Grayson Dillon, a manager at Johnny’s Tavern in North Lawrence, said customers have been doubling up tables while the games are on. People constantly call the bar for tips on how early to arrive before first pitch, he added.

The clientele at Dempsey’s Burger Pub downtown — usually more focused on soccer and KU athletics — has gone full party mode over the Royals, according to manager Derek Jeanes. He said he’s overheard and participated in conversations explaining the nuances of the game of baseball to novices.

The past month has perhaps been sweetest for the likes of Craig and Dustin Gordon, a former Navy man and KU student, two fans who have been prouder than most of their baseball loyalties over the years.

Craig is an avid collector of Royals memorabilia and zips through town in a royal blue Honda with a license plate that reads “ROYALS1.”

Dustin Gordon's tattoo honoring the Kansas City Royals.

Gordon, meanwhile, has “KC” tattooed onto the back of his calf and plans to add crowns to the design if they take the Commissioner’s Trophy this year.

He’s been wearing shorts a lot lately.

“I always wear them to show my tattoo, I love it,” Gordon said.

And now everyone wants “KC” on their chests or foreheads. Royals apparel gets snatched off shelves like money off the pavement. Candace Anstaett, a store manager at the Kansas Sampler on Massachusetts Street, said the store moves three shipments of Royals gear daily. Recently, she’s worked 60 to 70 hours a week, and the chain has hired dozens of temporary employees “on the spot” to help with the rush.

She said 60 seconds had passed after the Royals won the pennant last week when “a full line (of customers) walked through the door” wanting more.

Less than 50 yards away, at Jayhawk Spirit, KU gear has had to make way for Royals threads for the first time in the store’s 30-plus years of existence. The frenzy got to be too much for owner Tom Wilkerson, a Royals season ticket-holder for 18 years, to ignore.

“We get people walking through the door all day right now looking for Royals stuff,” he said.

“It’s been amazing, they’re awesome.”