HOT DOG EATING CONTEST ON THE MENU
The return of the popular hot dog eating contest sponsored by a local deli is one of the highlights of Platte City’s daytime Independence Day celebration.
From 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 4, the celebration will run on Main Street with free food and much more.
“This year’s event is presented by Bee Creek Bistro and will feature a variety of free family-friendly activities, entertainment, food and community fun,” says Jamie Kacz, executive director of the Platte City Chamber of Commerce.
The Third Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest sponsored by Fetterman’s Deli will chew off at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Platte County Courthouse.
Those interested in competing can sign up at fettermans.com/hot-dog-eating-contest.
Hot dogs will also be the main course of the free food offerings during the celebration. Central Platte Fire Protection District will be grilling and serving free all-beef hot dogs for the community.
Attendees can also enjoy free snacks from the following food trucks, while supplies last, including Karma Kettle Corn, Shivers Ice House with shaved ice and cotton candy, and Sunglo Lemonade.
New activities in 2026 are a mini golf experience offered by Putt Around KC, and Adventure MobileCade will be set up at the fire station at Second and Main with retro and modern gaming stations for all ages to enjoy.
Putt Around KC delivers, sets up, and takes down custom mini golf courses.
Beatniks Dance & Tumble will be providing face painting and distributing free sparklers.
The City of Platte City will be distributing free Bomb Pops.
Returning favorites include the popular Foam Blasters, along with two water slides, music, bubbles, balloon artists and plenty of family fun throughout the downtown.
Main Street businesses have been invited to get involved by offering free sidewalk activities outside their storefronts.
To help with parking, accessibility and getting folks to the downtown area, a free shuttle bus will run continuously from Platte City Middle School between 8:45 a.m. and 12 noon, Kacz said.
“We look forward to welcoming the community for a fun-filled morning celebrating Independence Day and everything that makes Platte City special,” she added.
NIGHTTIME FIREWORKS
Once again the City of Platte City is covering the cost of a nighttime fireworks display the night of July 4th.
The city has purchased $19,800 worth of fireworks through J&M Displays for a show that typically begins around 10 p.m.
The fireworks are set off at the Platte City Middle School practice fields on the Platte County R-3 School District campus. No seating is available at the school.
Some popular spots for viewing of the fireworks show in the past have been the Platte City Middle School parking lot, 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.
