PLATTE CITY DAYTIME EVENT SET 9 A.M. TO NOON
There are some changes to the July 4th celebration this year.
After a year at a different site, Platte City’s Fourth of July daytime celebration this year is back on Main Street. It will be held between Second and Fourth Streets on Main in Downtown Platte City from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, July 4.
The first two years of the celebration were on Main, but last year–to the disappointment of some local merchants–city officials moved it to Rising Star Park, home of a splash pad. City of Platte City sponsored the daytime event the first three years and used city staff to man the event, but this year the Platte City Chamber of Commerce is taking over the labor for the event. The city remains a primary financial sponsor.
The city was prepared to drop the daytime celebration altogether until the chamber of commerce stepped in.
“We feel it is an important event for the community, so we asked if we could step in to handle it,” said Jamie Kacz, executive director of the chamber of commerce. Before putting taxpayer money into the event this year, the city challenged the chamber to come up with a list of at least 20 volunteers to assist. Kacz says the chamber assembled a roster of about 30 volunteers. The city then said yes.
For those desiring a ride to the downtown event, there will be shuttle school buses running from the Platte County High School to downtown
ACTIVITIES
There is no charge to get into the event.
Activities at this year’s daytime event will include things such as free hot dogs, chips and water. And the hot dogs will be the real deal, Kacz said. They’ll be Boar’s Head hot dogs, a brand lined up with the assistance of Fetterman’s Deli.
The hot dogs will be grilled by Central Platte Fire District firefighters at the Second and Main fire station. A second grill will be set up at Snyder’s Event Space patio near Second and Main, Kacz said.
Some of the kid-friendly action will include fun foam events, a water slide, balloons and tattoos, face painting, and family games.
There will be a Frosty Treatz Ice Cream Truck and Jack’s Kettle Corn and Cotton Candy.
Like the hot dogs and water, Kacz said the ice cream and cotton candy will be offered at no charge to attendees.
“This event is shaping up well,” Kacz says. “We will have a water slide, foam blasters, kid activities, games, snack food trucks, and hot dogs.”
Some Main Street businesses will be open to showcase their operations, Kacz said.
“We are thrilled to host this event on Main Street and hope to continue this tradition for many years,” she added.
HOT DOG
EATING CONTEST
Fetterman’s Deli will sponsor a hot dog eating contest at the Downtown Platte City event.
It will be held at 11:30 a.m.
All proceeds will benefit The Treasure Chest benefitting Platte County R-3 School District families.
Location for the hot dog eating contest will be the Farmer’s House Courtyard, 313 Main Street, Downtown Platte City.
Entry fee is $15 for participants aged 14 & over; $10 for participants aged 13 & under.
Prizes:
- 14 and over: $250 Fetterman’s gift card.
- 13 and under: $150 Fetterman’s gift card.
Contest Rules:
- Eligibility:
- Participants must be registered and have submitted a signed waiver form by the designated deadline. Waiver can be found on fettermans.com or in store.
- The contest is divided into two age divisions: 13 and under, and 14 and over.
- Registration and Fees:
- Entry fee is $15 for participants aged 14 and over, and $10 for participants aged 13 and under.
- Signed waiver forms must be submitted by 5 p.m. on July 3rd at Fetterman’s, 2405 NW Prairie View Rd., Platte City, or by 10:30 a.m. at the contest location on the day of the event.
The contest will last for 10 minutes, starting at 11:30 AM and ending at 11:40 AM.
Eating rules: - Participants must eat the entire hot dog (including the bun) to have it counted. Hot dogs can be consumed with or without condiments. Water will be provided and can be used to assist in eating.
Participants must swallow the hot dog pieces before starting the next one. Partially eaten hot dogs at the end of the contest will not be counted.
Judges will be present to ensure fair play and to count the number of hot dogs consumed.
In the event of a tie, a one-minute eat-off will determine the winner.
Participants must be in good health and not have any medical conditions that would make participation unsafe.
A medical team will be on standby in case of emergencies.
Any participant experiencing difficulty or distress should stop immediately and seek help from the medical team.
Participants are expected to behave in a sportsmanlike manner. Disruptive or inappropriate behavior will result in disqualification.
Decisions of the judges are final. - FIREWORKS DISPLAY
The City of Platte City once again is sponsoring a nighttime fireworks show. - It will begin at 10 p.m. at the Platte County R-3 School District campus
No seating is available at the school, but school parking lots will be available as viewing locations. The lots include those at Platte County High School, Platte City Middle School, Siegrist Elementary School and Compass Elementary School. - Some other popular spots for viewing in years past have included Hillcrest Thrift Shop parking area, Platte Valley Park, the Mid-Continent Public Library parking lot, Price Chopper’s lot, and the YMCA parking lot.
- The city is putting $17,000 toward the fireworks show, city officials told The Landmark.