FROM 9 A.M. TO NOON IN DOWNTOWN PLATTE CITY
There will be free food and drink, which is always a popular draw.
It’s the daytime Fourth of July event in Platte City, set for Friday, July 4, of course.
And a hot dog eating contest will again be one of the highlights at a Platte City Fourth of July event held on Main Street. That contest proved to be wildly popular, with many contestants signing up and a large crowd gathered around to view the competition.
The fun gets underway at 9 a.m. on Main Street between Second and Fourth Streets. Activities will run till 12 noon.
The hot dog eating contest will take place at 11:30 a.m. and will be hosted outside the Platte County Courthouse. Participants can sign up on the day of the event or in advance online at Fettermans.com. The contest is hosted and run by Fetterman’s deli.
Firefighters from the Central Platte Fire District will be cooking and serving free hot dogs at the fire station at Second and Main Street, along with chips and water, while snack-style food trucks will offer complimentary kettle corn, cotton candy and ice cream. All free, and all positioned along Main Street.
There will also be water stations set up along Main Street to help attendees cope with the heat that is typically present at any Fourth of July celebration.
“Everything is completely free, thanks to the City of Platte City and our general sponsors who made this possible,” said Jamie Kacz, executive director of the sponsoring Platte City Chamber of Commerce.
Back this year is the foam blaster area, “which will be a hit with kids and families looking for a little cool down and high energy fun,” Kacz remarked. The foam machine that creates non-toxic foam to fill a designated area where kids can jump, dance, and play.
Main Street businesses have been invited to get involved by offering free sidewalk activities outside their storefronts. “This will give the public more to explore while showcasing the local businesses that make our downtown so special,” Kacz said.
There will also be a 45-ft. water slide for the kids to have fun while cooling off, she said.
“This year, we have Frosty Treatz Ice Cream, KC Dogs, and Jack’s Kettle Corn and Cotton Candy,” Kacz explained.
Inside the Platte City Chamber of Commerce office at 620 Third Street there will be face painting and balloon twisters provided by Katie and the Beatniks dancers.
Want a ride downtown to avoid any parking hassle? There will be a shuttle running from the Platte County R-3 School District on Hwy. 92 to downtown. Buses will run to and from the downtown area beginning at 8:50 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
NIGHTTIME FIREWORKS
The City of Platte City is sponsoring a nighttime fireworks display again this year. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at about 10 p.m.
The fireworks will be set off at the Platte County R-3 School District campus. No seating is available at the school, but designated school parking lots will be available as viewing locations.
Some other popular spots for viewing of the fireworks show in the past have included the Hillcrest Thrift Shop parking area, Platte Valley Park, the Mid-Continent Public Library parking lot, Price Chopper’s parking lot and the YMCA/Community Center parking area.
The city has purchased $19,800 worth of fireworks for this year’s show.
