Block parties, spectacular fireworks: See how Kansas City celebrated Fourth of July
Kansas Citians took to their streets, patios and pools Tuesday to celebrate the Fourth of July. From hand-lit smoke bombs to professional pyrotechnics, the scorching hot air around Kansas City was filled with noise and color as day turned into evening.
Our photographers took to the streets to capture some of the city’s celebrations. From a laid-back block party in the Oak Park Northeast neighborhood to the pyrotechnics pit of the Liberty Memorial fireworks display, here’s how Kansas City celebrated the Fourth.
Neighborhood celebrations
Oak Park Northwest residents celebrated the Fourth of July with block parties, barbecues, and fireworks. All throughout the East side neighborhood, community members blocked off streets, fired up grills, and lit off fireworks to commemorate the holiday.
On the 3500 Block of Chestnut Street, Jaron Carter celebrated the holiday by spending time with his children lighting off smoke bombs in the street. For Oak Park Northwest resident Akeem Paschal, the holiday is a day of reflection.
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“When I see big clusters of families, barbecues, and fireworks I think about just 430 something years ago we wasn’t able to enjoy fireworks or enjoy our families,” Paschal said. “Times have changed though. It’s still a day of celebration, it’s a beautiful holiday.”
Safety first
While many residents set off firecrackers and bottle rockets safely on Tuesday, some weren’t so fortunate.
As of 2:25 p.m, the University of Kansas Health System reported 20 fireworks-related injuries in the metro area, leading to a total of 12 hospital admissions. Hand injuries were the most common of those reported, and were caused by sparklers, mortars and Roman candle style fireworks.
The youngest victim of a fireworks-related injury was 15 years old, while the oldest was 44. The hospital will next update its injury numbers Wednesday afternoon.
Spectacular fireworks at Liberty Memorial
Thousands of people flocked to Liberty Memorial in central Kansas City Tuesday evening for the annual Stars and Stripes Picnic. The celebration included live music, food trucks, and local vendors hosted by the craft market organizer Strawberry Swing.
But as crowds gathered and mingled on the hill just south of Liberty Memorial, only a select few were permitted on the sloping North Lawn across from Union Station. There, professionals rigged thousands of advanced pyrotechnics in preparation for the 9:40 p.m. show.
The main show has just over 700 shells and lasts for 20 minutes.
“The finale is going to be pretty big. It’s 950 shells in right about two minutes,” said Daryl Marmon, display manager for Wald Fireworks.
“We’re basically painting a picture in the sky for the audience listening to the music.”
“So when the first shell lifts, there’s a relief, but there’s no relaxation,” said Adam Spainhour, display operations manager for Wald Fireworks.
“When that last shell goes, and the crowd cheers ... the job is done, the hay is in the barn and they loved it. That’s a great feeling.”