Celebrate July Fourth with fireworks, parades and more
Independence Day festivities began in earnest Friday and will continue until the last fireworks blaze through the sky on Monday night.
Breaking down the events by day, you could enjoy a major event each of the four days.
Most of the area’s holiday activities are on Monday, highlighted by KC Riverfest at Berkley Riverfront Park. It charges admission ($5, free 4-5 p.m.), but it also has two stages with live music.
Monday’s other big events will be at Corporate Woods in Overland Park and at Longview Lake. Events are free, except where noted.
Monday, July 4
Raymore
What: Spirit of America Celebration with car show, music and fireworks.
When: 4-9:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9:30 p.m. July 4
Where: Recreation Park, 1011 S. Madison, Raymore
Info: raymore.com
Prairie Village
What: VillageFest featuring children’s parade and other children’s activities, plus entertainment, pancake breakfast 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: Independence Day at the Farmstead; games, pig-calling contest and bike parade.
When: 9 a.m.-noon July 4
Where: 13800 Switzer, Overland Park
Info: $2; artsandrec-op.org/farmstead
Fort Osage
What: Independence Day, featuring early 19th century demonstrations and patriotic speeches.
When: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. July 4
Where: 107 Osage, Sibley.
Info: $4-$8; jacksongov.org/parks, 816-229-8980
Missouri Town 1855
What: Independence Day, 1850s style, including parade.
When: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. July 4
Where: Fleming Park, 8010 E. Park Lee’s Summit.
Info: $4-$7; jacksongov.org/parks, 816-229-8980
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm
What: Reading of Declaration of Independence, cannon firings, patriotic songs and more, July 4; 19th century fireworks and Olathe Civic Band Concert, July 7.
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m July 4; 6 p.m. July 7
Where: 1200 E. Kansas City Road, Olathe
Info: July 4 regular admission, $3-$7; July 7 free; mahaffie.org, 913-971-5111
National World War I Museum
What: Open regular summer hours.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 4
Where: 100 W. 26th
Info: $8-$14; theworldwar.org, 816-888-8100
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/festivals_commdays.html
Parkville
What: Pancake breakfast, parade, carnival rides, music and fireworks.
When: Parade, 10 a.m.; carnival, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; July 4
Where: Most events downtown
Info: parkvillemo.org
Gardner
What: Chase Bryant will headline the entertainment, which also will include Rusty Laffoon, Sara Morgan and Big Time Grain Company. Also, food vendors, children’s activities and fireworks.
When: Entertainment, 3 p.m.; fireworks, 10 p.m.; July 4
Where: Celebration Park, 32501 W. 159th, Gardner
Info: 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 and more.
When: 4 p.m. July 4
Where: Grand Boulevard and Riverfront Road
Info: $5; free 4-5 p.m. kcriverfest.com, 816-561-7555
Corporate Woods
What:. Live music, vendors and children’s activities, capped by fireworks and more live music.
When: 4 p.m. July 4
Where: 8717 W. 110th, Overland Park
Info: starspangledspectacular.org
Merritt Lake
What: Salute to the Union and fireworks.
When: 4 p.m. July 4
Where: Fort Leavenworth
Info: fortleavenworthfmwr.com, 913-684-1674
Leawood City Park
What: Music by Flashback, children’s activities, vendors and fireworks.
When: 5 p.m. July 4; fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
Where: 10601 Lee, Leawood
Info: leawood.org/parks, 913-663-9151
Liberty
What: Liberty 4th Fest with food trucks, beer garden, family activities, music by Noe Palma and fireworks.
When: 5 p.m. July 4; fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
Where: Fountain Bluff Sports Complex
Info: liberty4thfest.com
Longview Lake Shelter No. 13
What: Jackson County’s Fourth of July Celebration will feature a concert by The Romantics plus games, concessions and fireworks.
When: 5:30-10 p.m. July 4
Where: Raytown Road
Info: jacksongov.org/july4, 816-503-4800
Stilwell
What: Parade, dinner and fireworks.
When: Parade, 6 p.m.; dinner, 7:30 p.m.; fireworks, 9:30 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, 76th and North Troost.
Info: www.gladstone.mo.us
Blue Springs
What: Red, White and Blue Springs, with live music by Jake Worthington and fireworks.
When: 7:30 p.m. July 4; fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
Where: Peve Stadium, 2000 NW Ashton, Blue Springs
Info: bluespringsgov.com/1429/4th-of-july
Olathe
What: City of Olathe Fireworks Show.
When: 9:30 p.m. July 4
Where: College Boulevard Activity Complex, 11031 S. Valley Parkway, Olathe
Info: olatheks.org/fireworks
Platte City
What: Patriotic music and fireworks.
When: 9:45 p.m. July 4
Where: Platte Ridge Park
Info: plattecity.org
Osawatomie
What: Fireworks.
When: Dusk July 4
Where: Osawatomie City Lake
Info: osawatomieks.org, 913-755-2146
Smithville
What: Fireworks.
When: Dusk July 4
Where: Smithville Lake Dam, 1601 County Road DD
Info: smithvillemo.org
This story was originally published June 29, 2016 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Celebrate July Fourth with fireworks, parades and more."