Everything you need to know about KC’s Stars and Stripes Picnic on July 4th
Thousands of people will descend on the grounds of the National WWI Museum and Memorial to celebrate the Fourth of July at the Stars and Stripes Picnic, Kansas City’s official Independence Day celebration.
Highlighting the festivities will be a 20-minute fireworks display over the Liberty Memorial.
With temperatures expected to approach 90 degrees and the threat of rain, planning is paramount. If you’re considering attending the event — one of a dozen or so fireworks shows happening in the KC area — here’s everything you need to know.
Details of the Stars and Stripes Picnic
When: Grounds open at 3 p.m. Friday, July 4. Live music begins at 4:30 p.m. and fireworks start about 9:40 p.m.
Where: National WWI Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Drive. Activities will take place on the South Lawn area, with fireworks launched from north of the Liberty Memorial.
What: In addition to fireworks, the event will offer more than 20 food trucks, family activities, vendors — including The Strawberry Swing fair with local handmade goods — and live music.
Admission: Free.
Weather: The event will proceed rain or shine.
Food policy: You can bring your own food and drinks or buy them on site. Beer and other alcohol will be available.
Where should I park? Will the streetcar run?
With limited availability in the immediate area, your best bet will be to park north of Union Station and take the KC Streetcar to the Union Station stop.
Streetcars will run from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on July 4, with four-streetcar service from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Among paid lots nearby, the Union Station parking garage charges $25 and Hallmark lots charge $20. Beginning at 3 p.m., there will be no parking on Wyandotte Street and no grass parking in Penn Valley Park.
What streets will be closed around the WWI Memorial?
Plan to take alternate routes in the area of Penn Valley Park and the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
Beginning at noon, Main Street and Memorial Drive will be closed to all traffic; Wyandotte and 29th streets and Kessler and Pershing roads (south of the Portfolio Building parking entrance) will be open only to vehicles with parking passes.
Beginning at 3 p.m., Wyandotte and 31st streets will be restricted to vehicles with parking passes or disabled tags, Broadway Boulevard and 29th Street will be closed to eastbound traffic and northbound Broadway will be limited to one lane for right turns only.
What’s the schedule for the Stars and Stripes Picnic?
3 p.m., DJ music
4:30 p.m., Drew Six & the Soul Plains Drifters
6:15 p.m., Roots in Blue
6:45 p.m., national anthem
7 p.m., Roots in Blue
8:05 p.m., Lost Wax
9:40 p.m., fireworks
Tips for KC fireworks show
▪ There will be several clusters of portable restrooms.
▪ Dogs on leashes are permitted, but use common sense. If loud sounds upset your pet, leave him or her at home. And be sure to bring doggie poop bags.
▪ KCTV will carry the fireworks display live.
▪ More information at theworldwar.org.
