Fireworks, Parades, Festivals, Picnics and Music! Kansas City knows how to celebrate Independence Day! Follow this guide to discover wonderful Independence Day Traditions or revisit those that are familiar.
Parades:
Lenexa, KS: 10am, July 4th: Patriotic Parade starts at the Lenexa Community Center, 13420 Oak St.
Parkville, MO: 10am, July 4th: Old-fashioned 4th of July Parade begins at 63rd Street and Highway 9 and ends in Historic Downtown Parkville followed by a Carnival.
Fireworks on the 4th of July: All of these displays are on the 4th of July, and they begin at dusk unless otherwise noted.
Missouri:
Blue Springs: Red, White, and Blue Springs. Live music starts at 7:30pm followed by fireworks! (Blue Springs High School Peve Stadium, 2000 NW Ashton Dr.)
Excelsior Springs: Elms Fireworks and Celebration (Elms Resort, 401 Regent St. Excelsior Springs, MO).
Gladstone: Bring blankets, chairs and a picnic as you enjoy a FREE Summer Concert at 8:30pm followed by spectacular fireworks (Gladstone Amphitheater at 76th St. and N. Troost)!
Independence: City Fireworks Display. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks to enjoy this Sky Show Celebration at the Mormon Visitor’s Center (937 W. Walnut)!
Kansas City: Fireworks choreographed to music! Admission charged. (Berkley Park, Broadway and Paseo, KCMO. 816.960.3400)
Lake Winnebago: Fireworks over the lake at dusk! (Lake Winnebago Dam.)
Lee’s Summit: Celebrate at Legacy Blast! A free fireworks extravaganza choreographed to music and simulcast on 94.9 KCMO. Food vendors and local entertainers will be on site before the fireworks. Bring the family and blankets for fun under the stars. (Legacy Park, 1501 NE Legacy Park Dr.)
Liberty: Liberty 4th Fest. The fun starts at 6pm. Families are invited to bring blankets/lawn chairs for the lawn viewing area as well as picnic foods. Food and beverage concessions also will be available for purchase. Children's Activities, live music, and fireworks! (2200 E. Old 210 Hwy.)
Oak Grove: Children's games, vendor booths, inflatable games, music, entertainment and fireworks out at Webb Park, 6-10pm. (Webb Park, 1800 SE Oak Ridge Dr.)
Parkville: Enjoy Fireworks over the Missouri River after enjoying a Parade in the morning and Carnival all day! (English Landing Park)!
Platte City: High School Stadium flag ceremony, entertainment and fireworks (Platte City R-3 High School, 1501 Branch Street).
Raymore: One of the biggest fireworks displays in the area. The event begins at 7 p.m. with food and music by The Relics before the fireworks begin. (Recreation Park, 1011 S. Madison St.)
Smithville Lake: Fireworks are shot off the Smithville Lake Dam. View at the marina, by boat, or at Smith’s Fork Park (Smiths’ Fork Park, 1601 DD Hwy).
Sugar Creek: Heritage Philharmonic Concert at 8pm followed by Fireworks. (Mike Onka Memorial Parking Lot, 11520 Putnam).
Weston: Jaycees 4th of July Celebration - Fireworks, ice cream social, entertainment and the Missouri Valley Skydivers. Festivities begin at 6pm. (West Platte High School, 935 Washington St., Weston, MO. 816.640.2909).
Kansas:
DeSoto: July 4th Celebration at Riverfest Park! Food, Festival, and “Rule of 3 Band” performance at 7:30pm followed by fireworks at 9:45pm.
Fairway: Annual Community Fireworks! (Bishop-Miege High School, 5401 Reinhardt Dr)
Fort Leavenworth: Games, music, concessions begins a 4pm, Salute to the Nation at 8pm, fireworks, Merritt Lake, Fort Leavenworth. (Merritt Lake, Ft. Leavenworth.)
Gardner: Free Community Fireworks! (Gardner-Edgerton High School, 425 N. Waverly Rd.)
Lansing: Lansing’s July 4th Celebration includes a free fireworks display that is choreographed to music. (800 First Terrace.)
Leawood: Carnival, Live music, and Fireworks 5pm-10pm! (Leawood City Park, 10601 Lee Blvd.)
Lenexa: NO Fireworks display in 2009. This is the message from the Lenexa City Site: “The July 4 public fireworks display, provided in partnership the past several years by the cities of Lenexa and Shawnee, has been cancelled this year due to budget constraints faced in both communities as a result of the economy.”
Olathe: Great Mall of the Great Plains Fireworks. Free Fireworks for the community! Bring a lawn chair and snacks. (Great Mall of the Great Plains, 20700 W. 151st St.).
Overland Park: Corporate Woods Fireworks Spectacular this event includes a free concert, classic concessions like funnel cakes, activities and inflatables, and one of the biggest fireworks displays in the metro (1-435 & College Blvd).
Shawnee: NO Fireworks display at Shawnee Mission Park. It seems strange to list “No Fireworks,” but this display is a tradition for many of our readers, we wanted to make sure you weren’t disappointed. This is the message from Shawnee Mission Park: “Due to budget constraints faced by the sponsoring cities of Lenexa and Shawnee, there will not be a fireworks display in Shawnee Mission Park this year (2009).”
Special Events in Honor of Independence Day:
June 27: Junefest Independence Day Celebration. Live Band, Carnival Rides, food and fireworks! (Hitt Park, Greenwood, MO. www.greenwoodmo.com)
June 27 – July 4: Flags for Freedom. Over 3,000 American Flags on display in Downtown Merriam, along Johnson Drive and in front of the Merriam Marketplace. Special programs and music throughout the event (www.flags4freedom.org).
June 27- July 5: Independence Day at Lanesfield. Show your patriotism by visiting the Lanesfield School for a 1904 Independence Day celebration. Learn how our nation’s independence was celebrated in 1904, visit the decorated school, and make a patriotic craft to take home! Event is free, all ages are welcome. Exhibit times vary. (Lanesfield School, 18745 S. Dillie Rd., Edgerton, KS. 913.893.6645)
June 28, 10am: Freedom Celebration. First Baptist Raytown will celebrate America’s past, pray for the future, and honor those who have served the country along the way at the church’s annual Freedom Celebration. The Celebration Choir and Orchestra will lead in patriotic music and a salute to the Armed Forces. Members of the Armed Forces past and present are invited to attend in uniform. (First Baptist Raytown located at 10500 E 350 Highway, Raytown, MO. 816.353.1994)
Thursdays in July, 2pm: Independence Day on the Trails. Guided Exhibit Gallery Walk focusing on how Independence Day was celebrated by the pioneers traveling west. Regular museum admission. (National Frontier Trails Museum, 318 W. Pacific, Independence, MO.)
July 1-4: Rich Hill Missouri’s “Famous for the 4th Celebration.” This small Missouri town rolls out the red carpet to celebrate the 4th of July! Carnival, car and tractor displays, a parade on the morning of the 4th, and fireworks! (www.richhillmo.com)
July 1-4: Parkville’s 4th of July Carnival, Parade and Fireworks. The festivities feature a carnival at English Landing Park. A Parade at 10am Saturday (63rd Street and Highway 9) and a SPECTACULAR fireworks display shot over the Missouri River on the 4th.
July 2, 7-9pm: Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop Concert and Fireworks. This Free event features 19th Century Fireworks, a special concert by the Olathe Civic Band, and $2 stagecoach rides! (Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop: 1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe, KS).
July 3-July 5: Firecracker Weekend. Celebrate the holiday weekend at Paradise Park and receive a FREE attraction with the purchase of a Deal of the Day wristband or receive a FREE medium Pepsi fountain drink with the purchase of a Max Pak Unlimited wristband. (Paradise Park, 1021 Colbern Rd., Lee's Summit, MO. 816.246.5224)
July 3-4: Riverfest. Carnival rides, Inflatables, Food, Music, and Family fun at the Riverfest! Fireworks on the 4th! Admission charged. (Berkley Park, Broadway and Paseo, KCMO. 816.960.3400)
July 3, 1-5pm: Freedom Fling. Celebrate our nation’s birthday at one of our City municipal pools this Fourth of July. Contests will be held throughout the day to provide a fun atmosphere for patrons of all ages. Prizes will be handed out to all participants as well as grand winners within each category. (Choose Your Location: Splash Cove, 5800 King, Shawnee, KS. OR Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center, 13805 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS. 913.631.0054)
July 3, 7:10pm: Take Me Out to the Ballgame. The Kansas City Royals face the White Sox! Enjoy Buck Night (Hot Dogs, small sodas, peanuts and mini-pretzels are $1 each) and spectacular Fireworks after the game! (Kauffman Stadium, KCMO.)
July 3, 7:30pm: Enjoy Music Under the Stars. Bring blankets, chairs and a picnic as you enjoy a FREE Summer Concert at 7:30pm presented by 4th Stage (a Boston Tribute) followed by spectacular fireworks (Kearney Amphitheater at Jesse James Park)!
July 4, 11 & 12: Celebrate America Festival at Worlds of Fun. Live Music, Fireworks, Children’s activities and more! (Worlds of Fun, KCMO. www.worldsoffun.com)
July 4, 9:30am-4pm: Red, White, and Zoo. Free admission for first responders and military with an I.D. Special events and festivities. (Kansas City Zoo. www.kansascityzoo.org)
July 4: Platte City Family Fun and Fireworks. Pancake breakfast, games, bicycle rodeo, 5K walk/ run, pool activities, and much more. Evening- 8:45 pm High School Stadium flag ceremony, entertainment and fireworks.
July 4, 7:30am-2pm: Village Fest. Bike Rodeo, Climbing Wall, Rides, Helicopter Display, Chidlren’s Parade, Petting Zoo, Live Entertainment and more. (7700 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS).
July 4, 9am-12pm: Make a Picnic Caddy. Designed for kids 5-12, these free workshops teach do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while instilling a sense of accomplishment. In July, children will make a Picnic Caddy. (Home Depot locations across the metro, www.homedepot.com).
July 4, 9am-5pm: 4th of July Train Rides. Ride the Rails with the Midland Railway as the 4th of July is celebrated! Admission charged. (Midland Railway, 11th and High St., Baldwin City, KS. 913.721.1211)
July 4, 9am-4:30pm: Independence Day at Fort Osage. The year is 1812. The soldiers and residents of this remote outpost on the American Frontier are commemorating the anniversary of their independence against the rumors of another impending war with Great Britain. Toasts are made and speeches are given, and you won’t want to miss the firings of the cannons, muskets and military drills. Admission charged. (107 Osage St., Sibley, MO.)
July 4, 9am-4pm: Independence Day at Missouri Town. Go back to 1855 and share how the important date was celebrated. Food will be cooking on the hearths, musicians will be playing appropriate music and special speeches will be made commemorating the anniversary of independence from Great Britain. Guests are invited to join in a noon parade through the recreated antebellum community. Admission charged. (8010 E. Park Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO).
July 4, 8pm: Wizards vs Dynamo. The Kansas City Wizards face the Houston Dynamo! Enjoy spectacular Fireworks after the game! (Community America Ballpark, KCKS.)
July 5, 7-10pm: US Air Force Band Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble. This patriotic concert will be performed at Briarcliff Village at Mulberry Lake.(4151 N. Mulberry Dr., KCMO.)