With all you’ll find to do in July and August in Platte County, you could hardly call these the lazy days of summer. But let the county’s collection of old-fashioned festivities take you back to the time when life didn’t hurry along so frantically. The county fair is the centerpiece of the season, surrounded by entertaining options throughout the region.
July the Fourth and the fair patriotism soars in the heart of America, and it reaches spectacular heights at the area’s premier Fourth of July celebration in Parkville. In fact, it lasts three days, July 2-5, and includes a pancake breakfast, carnival, live entertainment and fireworks, launched from the river.
On July 4th, you can also behold fireworks displays and festivities in Platte City and Weston, where the Missouri Valley Skydivers drop in.
At the other end of the month is the Platte County Fair in Tracy, July 23-26. This event is sure to be a bit spirited (Demolition Derby and Mudathon) and big smile-maker (children’s carnival and petting zoo). Livestock shows, live entertainment and plenty of eats fill up the fun quotient at this crowd-pleaser.
August steam and the river Tracy takes the stage again, Aug. 8-10, when it hosts the Platte County Steam Engine Show. Exhibits of antique farm equipment, steam and gas engines, tractors and model engines coupled with live demonstrations of threshing, hay baling and sawing lumber will thrill the enthusiasts as well as novices. It’s education and entertainment, sure to raise your appreciation of American ingenuity and ability.
Then head back to Parkville for Parkville Days River Festival, an arts and crafts festival that’s been bringing folks to the river front for nearly four decades. Carnival rides, food vendors and a parade round out the weekend, August 22-24.
Summer also continues the entertainment of the Bell Road Barn Players. For nearly four decades, this community theater group has been putting laughter, song and drama on stage in top form. Performances are held on the campus of Park University in Parkville.

