If you’re reading this on or before July 4th and still looking for some fun ways to spend the Independence Day holiday, there are local options in Platte City and Parkville and a Kansas City event at the National WW I Museum and Memorial.
IN PLATTE CITY
Platte City has a daytime celebration from 9 a.m. to noon on July 4th on Main Street.
Activities at Platte City’s daytime event will include things such as free hot dogs, chips and water. 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.
Some of the kid-friendly activities will include fun foam events, a water slide, balloons and tattoos, face painting, and games.
There will be a Frosty Treatz Ice Cream Truck and Jack’s Kettle Corn and Cotton Candy. Like the hot dogs and water, the ice cream and cotton candy will be offered at no charge to attendees.
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. Location for the hot dog eating contest will be the Farmer’s House Courtyard, 313 Main Street, Downtown Platte City.
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.
PARKVILLE
A large parade will highlight the annual Parkville 4th of July celebration. The annual event will be held in Downtown Parkville on Thursday, July 4.
Parkville’s traditional salute to Independence Day includes a pancake breakfast, a community parade, food, fun, shopping, kids activities, a skydiving exhibition, and a Fireworks Finale at 9:30 p.m.
The 4th of July parade begins at 10 a.m. at 63rd Street and Hwy 9 and ends in Historic Downtown Parkville. Independence Day trivia and giveaways will start at 10 a.m. at 1st and Main Street.
It’s an election year, which traditionally means the parade will have even more participation than normal.
Parkville’s annual 4th of July Fireworks show will start at 9:30 p.m.
There are many locations throughout Downtown Parkville to watch the fireworks display – the ballfield south of the downtown parking lot, anywhere on Main Street in Downtown Parkville and English Landing Park are the front row seats.
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a front row seat at the fireworks show.
KANSAS CITY
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is the host of Kansas City’s official fireworks and Independence Day Celebration on Thursday, July 4.
The public is welcome to begin picnicking on the south grounds of the museum and memorial as early as 3 p.m. The grounds will host over 20 local food trucks, family-friendly activities, local shopping vendors and live music – including headlining act and Kansas City’s favorite mash-up band, Lost Wax. The evening will conclude with a 20-minute fireworks display over the iconic Liberty Memorial Tower.
The Stars and Stripes Picnic is free to the public – rain or shine.
For a full list of vendors, partners and sponsors, as well as information about parking, entertainment and more, visit theworldwar.org/starsandstripespicnic.
Live music begins at 4:15 p.m.
A flyover, color guard and the national anthem will be at 6:45.
Fireworks begin around 9:40 p.m.
The National WWI Museum and Memorial can be found at 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, Mo.
