Fireworks to music: Your guide to July 4 events in the Kansas City area
As always, fireworks will be a big draw throughout the area to celebrate Independence Day, with at least one display every night through the holiday on Tuesday.
Worlds of Fun, in fact, will put on shows at 10 p.m. through Tuesday.
Even with Jackson County’s cancellation of its traditional event at Longview Lake, plenty of other big displays are scheduled. Among them: Lee’s Summit’s Legacy Blast on Monday and major events at Parkville, Berkley Riverfront Park and Corporate Woods on Tuesday.
It’s looking like Tuesday’s fireworks displays will face some weather challenges. Rain and storms, some possibly severe, are forecast to move into the Kansas City area in the early afternoon and linger throughout the evening on an otherwise hot and humid day. The high is expected to be in the upper 80s.
But if fireworks aren’t your thing — or perhaps your bedtime is too early to accommodate a display — you will have other options.
There will be multiple races. Also, Theatre for Young America will present “The Great Fourth of July Race of the Hare and the Tortoise” every day at H&R Block City Stage Theater in Union Station.
Finally, perhaps the most patriotic activity available would be a visit to the National World War I Museum, which will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily and will present a concert by the 35th Infantry Band at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Fireworks and more
Worlds of Fun
What: Celebrate America fireworks; free admission for military July 4
When: 10 p.m. July 1-4
Where: 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave.
Info: worldsoffun.com, 816-303-5120
Liberty
What: Liberty 4th Fest with food trucks, beer garden, family activities, live music and fireworks
When: 5:30 p.m. July 3
Where: Fountain Bluff Sports Complex
Info: liberty4thfest.com
Lee’s Summit
What: Legacy Blast, with vendors, inflatables, entertainment and fireworks
When: 6 p.m. July 3
Where: Legacy Park
Info: cityofls.net, 816-969-1500
18th & Vine
What: The Black/Brown Community Celebration featuring Sheila E. and fireworks show
When: 7-10 p.m. July 3
Where: Paseo Boulevard, from Truman Road to 18th Street
Info: www.facebook.com/events/195454147647751/?ref=46
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
What: Independence Day Celebration: Hughes Brothers concert and fireworks
When: 7 p.m. July 3
Where: 937 W. Walnut, Independence
Info: visitindependence.com/event/independence-day-celebration
Kearney
What: Fireworks Celebration featuring concert by Switch
When: 7:30 p.m. July 3
Where: Kearney Amphitheater, Jesse James Park
Info: kearneyamphitheater.com
Bishop Miege High School
What: Fireworks display, put on by Mission Woods, Westwood Hills, Fairway, Westwood and Roeland Park
When: 9:30 p.m. July 3
Where: 5041 Reinhardt, Roeland Park
Info: fairwaykansas.org
Pierson Park
What: Fireworks display by Turner Recreation Commission and Wyandotte County Parks and Recreation
When: 9:45 p.m. July 3
Where: 1800 S. 55th, Kansas City, Kan.
Info: turnerrec.org
Parkville
What: July 4th celebration: Pancake breakfast, parade, carnival rides, music, skydiving exhibition and fireworks
When: 7 a.m. July 4 (carnival, June 29-July 4)
Where: Most events downtown
Info: parkvillemo.org/event/parkville-july-4th-celebration-2017
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm
What: Independence Day: 1860s style. Reading of Declaration of Independence, cannon firings, patriotic songs and fireworks
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 4
Where: 1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe
Info: Regular admission, $3-$7; mahaffie.org, 913-971-5111
Harrisonville
What: Hometown celebration: family activities, entertainment and fireworks
When: 11 a.m. July 4
Where: City Park
Info: ci.harrisonville.mo.us, 816-380-8980
Gardner
What: Entertainment will include Rusty Laffoon, Big Time Grain Company and Tara Thompson. Also, food vendors, children’s activities and fireworks.
When: 3 p.m. July 4
Where: Celebration Park
Info: Free; gardnerkansas.gov
Berkley Riverfront Park
What: KC RiverFest. Huge fireworks show over Missouri River will follow evening of music on two stages, children’s activities, National Wrasslin’ League and more.
When: 4 p.m. July 4
Where: Grand Boulevard and Riverfront Road
Info: $5. kcriverfest.com
Merritt Lake
What: Salute to the Union and fireworks
When: 4 p.m. July 4
Where: Fort Leavenworth
Info: travelks.com/event/4th-of-july-celebration-at-fort-leavenworth/16316
Corporate Woods
What: Star Spangled Spectacular: live music, vendors and children’s activities, capped by fireworks and more music.
When: 5 p.m. July 4
Where: 8717 W. 110th, Overland Park
Info: corporatewoods.com/PublicEvents/July4thinCorporateWoods.aspx
Leawood City Park
What: Music by Four Fried Chickens and a Coke, rides, games, vendors and fireworks
When: 5 p.m. July 4
Where: 10601 Lee
Info: leawood.org/parks, 913-663-9151
Stilwell
What: Parade, dinner and fireworks
When: 6 p.m. July 4
Where: KCPL Service Center, 19950 Newton
Info: stilwellcommunity.org
Gladstone
What: Toni Gates Ensemble and Northstar Community Band followed by fireworks
When: 7 p.m. July 4
Where: Oak Grove Park
Info: www.gladstone.mo.us
Blue Springs
What: Red, White & Blue Springs, with live music by Dustin Collins and fireworks
When: 7:30 p.m. July 4
Where: Peve Stadium
Info: bluespringsgov.com/1429/4th-of-july
Platte City
What: Patriotic music and fireworks
When: 9 p.m. July 4
Where: Platte Ridge Park
Info: plattecitymo.com
Olathe
What: Olathe Red, White & Blue fireworks
When: 9:45 p.m. July 4
Where: College Boulevard Activity Complex
Info: olatheks.org/redwhiteblue
Other community celebrations
Prairie Village
What: VillageFest featuring children’s parade and other children’s activities, plus entertainment, pancake breakfast, car show and pie-baking contest.
When: 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. July 4
Where: 77th Street and Mission Road
Info: pvkansas.com, 913-381-6464
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
What: Old-fashioned games, patriotic lessons and bike parade
When: 9 a.m.-noon July 4
Where: 13800 Switzer, Overland Park
Info: $2; artsandrec-op.org/farmstead
Missouri Town 1855
What: Independence Day 1850s style, including speeches, children’s games and parade
When: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. July 4
Where: Fleming Park, Lee’s Summit
Info: $4-$7; jacksongov.org/parks, 816-229-8980
Smithville
What: Nellie’s Mini Parade Fourth of July Celebration
When: 10 a.m. July 4
Where: Courtyard Park
Info: exploresmithville.com
Old Town Lenexa
What: Community Days Parade
When: 10 a.m. July 4
Where: Santa Fe Trail Drive and Pflumm Road
Info: lenexa.com/parks
Weston
What: Parade, picnic and music
When: 10:30 a.m. July 4
Where: Weston City Park
Info: westonmo.com, 816-640-2909
Other events
Kansas City Zoo
What: Red, White & Zoo; active and retired military individuals receive free admission
When: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. July 1-4
Where: 6800 Zoo Drive
Info: $11.50-$14.50; kansascityzoo.org, 816-595-1234
Downtown Merriam
What: Flags 4 Freedom flag display
When: July 1-8
Where: Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive
Info: merriam.org/704/flags-4-freedom
Old Town Lenexa
What: Freedom Run 5K and 10K
When: 7 a.m. July 4
Where: Santa Fe Trail Drive and Pflumm Road
Info: $25-$30; lenexa.com/freedomrun, 913-477-7100
Summit Fair Shopping Center
What: Stars & Stripes 5K and kids’ fun run
When: 7:30 a.m. July 4
Where: 840 N.W. Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit
Info: $12-$36; starsandstripes5K.com, 816-529-5860
Ward Parkway Center
What: Four on the 4th four-mile run/walk and Kids Dash
When: 7:30 a.m. July 4
Where: 8600 Ward Parkway
Info: $12-$40; wardparkwayfouronthefourth.com
H&R Block City Stage Theater
What: “The Great Fourth of July Race of the Hare and the Tortoise” by Theatre for Young America
When: 10 a.m. July 4-6; 10 a.m. and noon July 7; 2 p.m. July 8; closes July 8
Where: Union Station, 30 W. Pershing
Info: $11; unionstation.org or tya.org, 816-460-2020 or 816-460-2083
National World War I Museum
What: 35th Infantry Band Concert
When: 2 p.m. July 5
Where: Liberty Memorial, 100 W. 26th
Info: Free; theworldwar.org, 816-888-8100
This story was originally published June 27, 2017 at 4:12 PM with the headline "Fireworks to music: Your guide to July 4 events in the Kansas City area."