KC’s biggest Fourth of July party bigger than ever for nation’s 250th birthday
The Stars and Stripes Picnic at the National WWI Museum and Memorial is annually Kansas City’s biggest July 4 celebration. But that area is overrun these days with World Cup soccer fans attending the FIFA Fan Festival.
Don’t worry, however: The Stars and Stripes Picnic isn’t going away. In fact, the event will expand as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday on July 4.
Not only will the 20-minute fireworks display over the Liberty Memorial feature three times as many shells as in the past, but organizers also have arranged two ways to enjoy the Stars and Stripes Picnic. Activities will take place inside the Fan Festival (where you will need a free pass and where there is limited capacity) as well as at nearby Penn Valley Park (where no pass is needed, and there will be food trucks and a dedicated sound system to hear performances and programming).
Officials expect huge crowds and heavy traffic, and they suggest attendees allow extra time to reach the venue.
Other family-friendly July 4 festivals that go beyond basic fireworks displays will be available throughout the area from July 2 through July 4. Most offer children’s activities, food trucks and live music — lots of music. Free concerts will feature popular acts such as Montgomery Gentry, The Elders, The Stolen Winnebagos and Lost Wax.
The legendary Bob Dylan also will perform July 4, and plenty of tickets remained as of June 25. His concert at Starlight Theatre will be followed by a fireworks display.
Here, then, are 10 ways — not all of which involve fireworks — to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday in the Kansas City area.
Stars and Stripes Picnic
When: July 4; Fan Festival, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Penn Valley Park, 3-10 p.m.; fireworks, 9:40 p.m.
Where: National WWI Museum and Memorial and Penn Valley Park
Worth noting: World Cup match viewing at noon and 4 p.m.; Lost Wax and DJ Ashton Martin will perform at 6:45 p.m.; free pass required to enter the fan festival but not the picnic in Penn Valley Park.
Information: theworldwar.org
Other celebrations
Legacy Blast
When: 5-9 p.m. July 2; fireworks, 9:30 p.m.
Where: Legacy Park Amphitheater, 897 Bluestem, Lee’s Summit
Worth noting: Activities include food trucks and children’s activities; fireworks will be choreographed to music and simulcast on 94.9 KCMO. Free.
Information: explorels.com/events
Bonner Blast
When: 6-10 p.m. July 2; fireworks, 9:45 p.m.
Where: Centennial Park, 126 E. Cedar St., Bonner Springs
Worth noting: Features a food truck festival and music by Fast Times; shuttle from Bonner Springs High School; free.
Information: facebook.com
Red, White & Grandview
When: 6-10 p.m. July 2; fireworks, 10 p.m.
Where: Grandview Amphitheater, 13501 Byars Road, Grandview
Worth noting: World Cup watch party, 6-8 p.m.; The Cowardly Lions will be in concert, 8-10 p.m. Free
Information: grandviewamp.com
Liberty Fest
When: 6-10:30 p.m. July 3; fireworks, 10 p.m.
Where: Capitol Federal Sports Complex, 2200 Old 210 Highway, Liberty
Worth noting: Lost Wax performs at 8 p.m.; parking passes required, $10 per car.
Information: thelibertyfest.com
Red White & Tru
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 4
Where: Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, 500 W. U.S. 24, Independence
Worth noting: Oregon Trail Living History, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; 3 Trails West concert, 11 a.m.; free.
Information: trumanlibraryinstitute.org
Parkville 4th of July Celebration
When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. July 4; parade, 10 a.m.; fireworks over the Missouri River, 9:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Parkville
Worth noting: Voices of Kansas City will perform at 1 p.m.; food trucks and family-friendly activities will start at 6 p.m.; Falcon Skydiving exhibition, 8:45 p.m.; free.
Information: parkvillemo.org
Freedom Fest
When: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. July 4; fireworks, 9:30 p.m.
Where: Happy Rock Park, 7565 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone
Worth noting: Skydiving demonstration at 6 p.m.; The Elders will perform at 6:15 p.m. and Montgomery Gentry at 8:30 p.m.; free.
Information: gladstonefreedomfest.com
Star Spangled Spectacular
When: 5-10:30 p.m. July 4; fireworks, 10 p.m.
Where: Corporate Woods Founders’ Park, 9711 W. 109th St., Overland Park
Worth noting: Stolen Winnebagos will perform at 7 p.m. and Summer Breeze at 8:15 p.m.; free.
Information: opkansas.gov
Bob Dylan
When: 7 p.m. July 4; fireworks after concert
Where: Starlight Theatre, Swope Park, 4600 Starlight Rd.
Worth noting: With Lucinda Williams and her band; tickets $59.25-$198.75.
Information: kcstarlight.com
Note
The annual fireworks display at Bishop Miege High School, co-sponsored by Fairway, Roeland Park and Westwood, will not be held this year. The school is installing synthetic turf on its football field, rendering it unable to support fireworks operations.
