Let’s light this candle: Kansas City area explodes with fun on Independence Day
Doesn’t July Fourth sneak up on us every year?
Most years it seems that no sooner do the kids get out of school than here comes the Fourth, and at that point summer seems about half over, even though, officially, it started only two weeks earlier.
And the Royals are usually out of the pennant chase by July 4, so you don’t really care about baseball.
Then the weather turns so horribly hot you can hardly wait for September and Labor Day and the start of football season.
Well, maybe this year is different. Maybe the Royals will stay in the pennant chase all summer. Maybe it won’t be horribly hot for eight weeks straight. Maybe this summer is actually just getting started.
Maybe there is reason to celebrate.
Of course, the traditional way to celebrate on Independence Day is to take in a fireworks display, and you can do that at dozens of venues throughout the area. Most rural towns and many suburban cities have their own displays.
This year, most are actually on July 4 (rather than the closest Saturday) because the holiday falls on a Friday. But quite a few displays will go off tonight as well.
In addition to fireworks, music will fill the air, parades will fill the streets and food will fill the stomachs. Some locations will provide all of the above, including Liberty and Parkville, which have festivities over multiple days.
The biggest one-day celebrations in Missouri are KC RiverFest at Berkley Riverfront Park (it charges $5) and the Big Bang put on by Jackson County at Longview Lake Shelter No. 13 (it’s free). On the Kansas side, the biggie is Overland Park Rotary’s Star Spangled Spectacular at Corporate Woods (also free).
For those so inclined, Independence Day also will provide several chances to test your fitness in a road race run during the heat of summer.
If you can survive that, the rest of the summer should be a cakewalk.
Powell Gardens
What: Booms and Blooms Festival. Highlights will include daylilies, an edible landscape, music by Lee’s Summit School of Rock and the Lee’s Summit Symphony, and fireworks. $5-$12.
When: 9 a.m. July 3
Where: 1609 N.W. U.S. 50, Kingsville
Info: powellgardens.org/booms
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm
What: Community Center grand opening event (July 3, with fireworks at 9 p.m.) and Independence Day celebration (July 4). $3-$6.
When: 4 p.m. July 3, 10 a.m. July 4
Where: 1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe
Info: mahaffie.org, 913-971-5111
Liberty
What: Liberty4thFest will cover two days; performance of “Letters to Liberty,” beer garden, music by the Stolen Winnebagos and more, July 3; parade and fireworks, July 4.
When: 5 p.m. July 3, 9:30 a.m. July 4
Where: Liberty Performing Arts Theatre, Liberty Square and William Jewell College
Info: liberty4thfest.com
Lee’s Summit
What: Fireworks display, with vendors, inflatables and entertainment
When: 6 p.m. July 3
Where: Legacy Park
Info: cityofls.net, 816-969-1500
Kearney Amphitheater
What: Fireworks celebration, with fireworks after a free concert by Switch
When: 7:30 p.m. July 3
Where: Jesse James Park, Kearney
Info: kearneyamphitheater.com
Fuel
What: All American Celebration. Music will feature the Zeros with guest DJ Miss Kansas Theresa Vail
When: 8 p.m. July 3
Where: One Block South, 7300 W. 119th, Overland Park
Info: oneblocksouthkc.com, 913-451-0444
Parkville
What: American Dreams. Four-day celebration will have carnival throughout; highlights on July 4 will be parade, Parkville Symphonic Band, skydiving team and fireworks.
When: 6 p.m. July 3, 7 a.m. July 4, 6 p.m. July 5
Where: Most events downtown
Info: parkvillemo.org
Bishop Miege High School
What: Fireworks display, put on by 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
Old Town Lenexa
What: Freedom Run 5K and 10K. $25-$30
When: 7 a.m. July 4
Where: Santa Fe Trail Drive and Pflumm Road
Info: lenexa.com/parks/festivals_freedom.html, 913-477-7100
Prairie Village
What: VillageFest. In addition to pancake breakfast and children’s activities, there will be 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
Summit Fair Shopping Center
What: Stars and Stripes 5K run/walk. $35-$40
When: 7:30 a.m. July 4
Where: 840 N.W. Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit
Info: starsandstripes5k.com
Ward Parkway Center
What: Four on the Fourth 4-mile run/walk. $30-$35
When: 7:30 a.m. July 4
Where: 85th and Ward Parkway
Info: wardparkwayfouronthefourth.com
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
What: Independence Day, including games, contests and a parade. $2
When: 9 a.m. July 4
Where: 13800 Switzer, Overland Park
Info: opkansas.org/.../deanna-rose-childrens-farmstead
Fort Osage
What: Independence Day, early 19th century style. $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, highlighted by 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: Lenexa Community Days Parade
When: 10 a.m. July 4
Where: Santa Fe Trail Drive and Pflumm Road
Info: lenexa.com/parks/festivals_commdays.html, 913-477-7100
Jowler Creek Vineyard & Winery
What: Fourth of July Reds, Whites and Blues, featuring wine and games
When: 11 a.m. July 4
Where: 16905 Jowler Creek Road, Platte City
Info: jowlercreek.com/events.html
Merriam Marketplace
What: Flags 4 Freedom. Flag display; also farmers market and concerts.
When: Concert to Celebrate the Flags, 12:30 p.m. July 4; flag display takedown, 9 a.m. July 5
Where: 5701 Merriam Drive, Merriam
Info: flags4freedom.org
Berkley Riverfront Park
What: KC RiverFest. Huge fireworks show will follow evening of music on two stages, children’s activities and vendors. $5 admission
When: 4 p.m. July 4
Where: Grand Boulevard and Riverfront Road
Info: kcriverfest.com
Corporate Woods
What: Star Spangled Spectacular. Day will include live music with 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
Fort Leavenworth
What: July Fourth Celebration, with children’s activities, food, music and fireworks
When: 4 p.m. July 4
Where: Merritt Lake
Info: fortleavenworthfmwr.com, 913-684-1674
Raymore
What: Spirit of America Celebration, with car show, music and fireworks
When: 4 p.m. July 4
Where: Recreation Park
Info: raymore.com
Gardner
What: July 4 celebration will feature music by Billy Ebeling and the Late for Dinner Band along with Big Time Grain Company, followed by fireworks.
When: 5 p.m. July 4
Where: Celebration Park
Info: gardnerkansas.gov
Paola
What: Fireworks display
When: 5 p.m. July 3
Where: Miola Lake
Info: paolachamber.org
Leawood City Park
What: Fourth of July Celebration, with children’s activities, vendors, music and fireworks
When: 5:30 p.m. July 4
Where: 10601 Lee, Leawood
Info: leawood.org/parks, 913-339-6700 ext. 201
Stilwell
What: A Salute to Freedom will start with Community Parade and conclude with fireworks.
When: 6 p.m. July 4
Where: KCPL grounds
Info: stilwellcommunity.org
Longview Lake Shelter No. 13
What: The Big Bang. Jackson County’s free Fourth of July celebration will feature children’s carnival and free concert by Backroad Anthem, capped by fireworks.
When: 6:30 p.m. July 4
Where: Raytown Road
Info: jacksongov.org/parks, 816-503-4800
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 music and fireworks
When: 7 p.m. July 4
Where: Oak Grove Park, 76th and North Troost
Info: gladstone.mo.us, 816-423-4091
Blue Springs
What: Red, White & Blue Springs, with music and fireworks
When: 7:30 p.m. July 4
Where: Peve Stadium, 2000 N.W. Ashton
Info: bluespringsgov.com
Lakeside Speedway
What: Fireworks display after racing. $6-$12
When: 7:30 p.m. July 4
Where: 5615 Wolcott, Kansas City, Kan.
Info: lakesidespeedway.net, 913-299-9206
Smithville
What: Fireworks display
When: Dusk July 4
Where: Smithville Lake
Info: smithvillechamber.org
Worlds of Fun
What: Celebrate America fireworks
When: 10 p.m. July 4-5, 12, 19 and 26
Where: 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave.
Info: worldsoffun.com, 816-303-5120
Independence Event Center
What: Freedom Ride. Options will range from 35 to 85 miles; benefits Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer.
When: 7 a.m. July 5
Where: 19100 E. Valley View Parkway
Info: independenceeventscenter.com
Lanesfield Historic Site
What: Old-fashioned Independence Day. Free.
When: 1-5 p.m. July 5
Where: 18745 S. Dillie, Edgerton
Info: jocomuseum.org, 913-893-6645
This story was originally published July 1, 2014 at 3:06 PM with the headline "Let’s light this candle: Kansas City area explodes with fun on Independence Day."