Strike up the brass bands. Get out the red-white-and-blue bunting. Fire up the grill. It’s the Fourth of July.
OK, it’s the Fourth of July in a couple of months, but now is the time to make travel plans to check out one of these festivals. From big-city fireworks to Thomas Jefferson’s ice cream recipe, our collection of July 4 fun is diverse enough for anyone to enjoy.
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| Taste of Chicago Festival /Illinios Tourism Bureau |
Patriots in the Park, Granite City’s celebration, will be July 2–6 in Wilson Park. Fireworks will be on July 4. There is no admission, but tickets are required for the carnival.
For information, call Wilson Park, (618) 877-3059.
Springfield’s connection to Abraham Lincoln makes this city a patriotic stop any day of the year. On July 4, however, the Capital City Celebration transforms Springfield into a “booming” place.
Sponsored by the Sertoma Club of Springfield, a civic organization, the event will feature the Air Force Band of Mid-America in concert at 8 p.m. on the capitol grounds, with fireworks following the concert. Cheryl Pence, volunteer coordinator, recommends visitors bring blankets or lawnchairs for the music and fireworks show. The event is free.
Other holiday activities–including a street festival downtown sponsored by the Jaycees–will be going on as well.
For more information, contact the Springfield Illinois Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1-800-545-7300 or click on www.springfield.il.us/ visit.
Taste of Chicago 2003, one of the Midwest’s best summer events, will be June 27–July 6 in Grant Park. Great food from the city’s great restaurants, music and fireworks are the fare for this festival.
A Race to the Taste is also planned. For information, call the mayor of Chicago’s special event hotline, (312) 744-3370.
On july 4, the Liberty Bell of the West Celebration will take place on Kaskaskia Island. For information, call (618) 826-2667.
In addition to the big bang of fireworks, there’s another type of thunder going on in Evansville June 26–29 and July 4.
The annual Evansville Freedom Festival features hydroplane races, an air show, live entertainment and fireworks.
Advance admission is $5; $10 at the gate. Children 12 and younger are admitted free.
For information, call (812) 424-2986, ext. 22 or click on www.evvthunderfest.org
In Olathe, a bike parade for children, music, a barbecue contest and fireworks are just some of the activities planned for a Fourth of July Celebration July 4–5 at the Great Mall of the Plains, 20700 W. 151st St. The event kicks off at 4 p.m. on July 4.
For more information, call (913) 971-6263 or click on www.olathe ks.org .
Lansing, Kan., will hold the Fourth of July Celebration at 5 p.m. on July 4 at the high school. Music, fireworks and activities for children are planned. Admission is free.
Call the city office at (913) 727-3233 or click on www.lansing.ks.us for details.
Fort Leavenworth stages a patriotic Salute to the Union, complete with cannons, at noon on July 4. Children's games will be at 4 p.m. (merritt Lake) and music will commence at 5 p.m., followed by firewoorks at dusk. No coolers are allowed, but concessions will be available for purchase. The event will be in front of Bell Hall on Reynolds Avenue.
For more information, call Fort Leavenworth's public affairs office at (913) 684-1718.
It’s big, busy and has been a part of the Fourth of July in St. Louis since 1981. It’s Fair St. Louis, held July 3–5 at the Gateway Arch grounds.
While there’s a cornucopia of activities, food, music and more throughout the expansive grounds, the festival is known for the outstanding daily air shows, sponsored by Boeing Company, nationally known entertainers and stunning fireworks nightly at 9:40 p.m.
In addition, the 126th Annual Veiled Prophet Parade steps off at 10 a.m. on July 4. Fair St. Louis hours are: 3–10 p.m. July 3, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. July 4–5. Admission is free.
For information, call (314) 434-3434 or click on www.fairstl.org.
History buffs may want to check out An Historic Fourth of July Celebration July 3–5 at the Old Courthouse downtown. Living history portrayals, patriotic music, speeches, ranger programs and refreshments will be offered. Admission is free.
Call (314) 655-1701, or visit www.nps.gov /jeff for information.
Haven’t had enough? From the courthouse or Arch grounds, walk to historic Laclede’s Landing for Rockin’ on the Landing, presented by Anheuser-Busch. Music lovers will have four stages to check out, all featuring live national, regional and local bands. It’s July 4 and 5 from 3–10:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For information, call (314) 241-5875 or click on www.lacledeslanding.org.
In historic St. Charles, Riverfest 2003, held at Frontier Park, is billed as a traditional family Independence Day celebration with carnival rides, booths, food and beverages. A parade kicks off the fun at 10 a.m. July 4. The festival runs July 4–6, and fireworks will be shot from barges on the Missouri River at dusk on July 4 and 6. Musical entertainment will be offered in the evening July 5.
Call 1-800-366-2427 or click on www.historicstcharles.com for details.
Across the state in Kansas City, Fire in the Sky on July 4 will feature music and entertainment, food, beverages and a fireworks display. The fun takes place from 6 p.m.–midnight at the City Market (Fifth and Walnut Streets). Fireworks start at 10 p.m.
While there is an admission, the price was not known at press time. Children 10 and younger are admitted free. Lawn chairs and blankets for fireworks viewing are allowed.
For information, call (816) 842-1271.
Thirty miles east of Kansas City in Kingsville, Mo., Powell Gardens will host Booms & Blooms on July 4–5. On July 4, the Missouri Chamber Orchestral Symphony will perform, followed by fireworks. On both days, visitors may want to view the garden’s day lily display, and take the children for face painting or painting flower pots.
Hours are 10 a.m.–dusk on July 4, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. July 5. Admission is $7 for adults, $2.50 for children.
Call (816) 697-2600 or click on www.pow ellgardens.com for details.
It’s fitting that a town called Independence will host a festival for the Fourth of July.
The Jackson County Department of Parks and Recreation will host two family events during the day. At Missouri Town 1855 in Fleming Park, join in a parade, hear patriotic speeches, listen to period music and tour 25 historic buildings while listening to costumed interpreters explain techniques for growing crops and raising livestock.
At Fort Osage in nearby Sibley, costumed re-enactors will help celebrate our country’s independence with military drills.
The time for both events will be 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. There is an admission. Call 816-795-8200, ext. 1260 for details.
At 7 p.m., hear country and bluegrass music performed by the Lowe Family at the Community of Christ Auditorium in Independence. Following the concert, fireworks will be at the Mormon Visitors Center. Both events are free. For concert information, call (816) 836-3466.
For 22 years, Springfield has celebrated with Firefall, an event that features a variety of live entertainment during the day and fireworks with music by the Springfield Symphony at night.
This year, Firefall will begin at noon June 28 at the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport. Guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets for fireworks viewing.
Admission is $8 per carload, $15 for RVs. Shuttles from North Town Mall will be available for $3 per person.
Call 1-800-678-8767 for more information or click on www.springfieldmo.org.
Please call ahead before making your plans, be safe and don’t drink and drive.
