Fireworks, festivals and fun: Our guide to the weekend’s Independence Day events
The traditional way to celebrate the Fourth of July is to watch a fireworks display, and at dusk Saturday you’ll be hard pressed to find a spot in the Kansas City area that doesn’t provide a view of at least one pyrotechnic extravaganza.
From Gardner to Gladstone, from Blue Springs to Raymore, with many more venues in between, fireworks will fill the sky.
The biggest July 4 celebrations will be KC RiverFest at Berkley Riverfront Park, the Star Spangled Spectacular at Corporate Woods in Overland Park and Jackson County’s Fourth of July Celebration at Longview Lake.
But not all the celebrations will include fireworks, and they won’t all be on the actual holiday.
All of the these early events have more than fireworks going for them.
In fact, most of the events listed below have live music, food vendors and children’s activities, and several have a parade, a car show or, in the case of the Jackson County celebration, skydivers.
Bottom line: Even if fireworks displays aren’t your thing, you’ll have a wide variety of choices for your Independence Day celebration.
Merriam Marketplace
What: Flags 4 Freedom. Flag display; also farmer’s market and concerts.
When: Through July 6; Concert to Celebrate the Flags, 1:55 p.m. July 4; flag display takedown, 4 p.m. July 6
Where: 5701 Merriam Drive, Merriam
Info: Flags4Freedom.org
Paradise Park
What: Firecracker Days.
When: Through July 5
Where: 1021 NE Colbern, Lee’s Summit
Info: Paradise-Park.com, 816-246-5224
Parkville
What: Fourth of July Fireworks and Festival. Carnival will run all four days; July 4 will include parade, Parkville Symphonic Band and fireworks.
When: Through July 4
Where: Most events downtown
Info: ParkvilleMo.org
What: Liberty 4th Fest. Music and fireworks July 4 at William Jewell College’s Greene Stadium.
When: p.m. July 4
Where: Downtown Liberty and William Jewell College.
Info: Liberty4thFest.com
Worlds of Fun
What: Celebrate America fireworks.
When: 10 p.m. July 4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, 31 and Aug. 1
Where: 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave.
Info: WorldsOfFun.com, 816-303-5120
Prairie Village
What: VillageFest. Children’s parade and other children’s activities, plus crafters and a pie-baking contest.
When: 7:30 a.m. July 4
Where: 77th Street and Mission Road
Info: PVKansas.com, 913-381-6464
Fort Osage
What: Independence Day, featuring early 19th-century demonstrations. $3-$7
When: 9 a.m. July 4
Where: 107 Osage, Sibley
Info: JacksonGov.org/parks, 816-503-4860
Missouri Town 1855
What: Independence Day, 1850s style, including parade. $3-$5
When: 9 a.m. July 4
Where: Fleming Park, Lee’s Summit
Info: JacksonGov.org/parks, 816-503-4860
Old Town Lenexa
What: Community Days Parade.
When: 10 a.m. July 4
Where: Santa Fe Trail Drive and Pflumm Road
Info: Lenexa.com
Weston
What: July Fourth Weekend, with parade, picnic and music on July 4 and ice cream social and concert July 5 by Kansas City American Legion Band.
When: 11 a.m. July 4, 2 p.m. July 5
Where: Weston City Park
Info: WestonMO.com, 816-640-2909
Berkley Riverfront Park
What: KC RiverFest. Huge fireworks show will follow evening of music on two stages, children’s activities and more. $5 admission.
When: 4 p.m. July 4
Where: Grand Boulevard and Riverfront Road
Info: KCRiverfest.com, 816-561-7555
Corporate Woods
What: Star Spangled Spectacular. Vendors, live music 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
Gardner
What: July 4 Celebration will feature food vendors and music by the Rankin Twins and Big Time Grain Company, followed by fireworks.
When: 4 p.m. July 4
Where: Celebration Park
Info: GardnerKansas.gov
Fort Leavenworth
What: Fireworks and Salute to the Union, plus music by Frisk.
When: 4 p.m. July 4
Where: Merritt Lake, Fort Leavenworth
Info: FortLeavenworthFMWR.com
Raymore
What: Spirit of America Celebration. Car show, music and fireworks.
When: 4 p.m. July 4
Where: Recreation Park
Info: Raymore.com
Leawood City Park
What: Fourth of July Celebration, with entertainment, children’s activities, vendors and fireworks.
When: 5 p.m. July 4
Where: 10601 Lee, Leawood
Info: Leawood.org
Louisburg
What: Freedom Fest. Live music, food and fireworks.
When: 6 p.m. July 4
Where: Lewis/Young Park, 26600 Jingo
Info: LouisburgKansas.gov
Jackson County
What: Jackson County’s Fourth of July Celebration will feature concert by Blackjack Billy plus skydivers, concessions and fireworks.
When: 6 p.m. July 4
Where: Longview Lake Shelter No. 13, Raytown Road
Info: JacksonGov.org, 816-503-4800
Stilwell
What: Fourth of July events will include parade and fireworks.
When: 6 p.m. July 4
Where: KC&PL Service Center, 19950 Newton
Info: StilwellCommunity.org
De Soto
What: Fourth of July Celebration, with music, food, vendors and fireworks.
When: 7 p.m. July 4
Where: Riverfest Park
Info: DeSotoKS.org
Gladstone
What: Independence Day Celebration, with 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: Gladstone.mo.us
Blue Springs
What: City Fireworks Display, with live music and concessions.
When: 7:30 p.m. July 4
Where: Peve Stadium, 2000 NW Ashton
Info: BlueSpringsGov.com
Smithville
What: Fireworks display.
When: 9 p.m. July 4
Where: Smithville Dam, 1601 County Road DD
Info: SmithvilleChamber.org
new√ Starlight Theatre
What: Fireworks Extravaganza after performance of “Pippin”; show tickets $14-$92.
When: Approximately 10:45 p.m. July 4
Where: 4600 Starlight Road
Info: KCStarlight.com, 816-363-7827
This story was originally published July 1, 2015 at 6:56 AM with the headline "Fireworks, festivals and fun: Our guide to the weekend’s Independence Day events."