4th of July in Kansas City: 2012

Fireworks, Parades, Festivals, Picnics and Music! Kansas City knows how to celebrate Independence Day! Follow this guide to discover wonderful Independence Day Traditions or revisit those that are familiar. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Due to excessive heat and dryness, some municipalities may change plans. Please watch websites and Facebook notices CLOSELY before taking your kids to a fireworks display as schedules are subject to change. We will do our best to update this page, but all schedules are tentative. as of 6/28.

Note: This list was compiled by KC Parent Magazine Staff and may not be copied in print or online without permission from KC Parent Magazine. If you know of a great 4th of July event to add to our list, email kristina@kcparent.com.

Special Events, Parades & Festivals to Celebrate the 4th of July in Kansas City:

Flags For Freedom June 30-July 7, Merriam Marketplace (5740 Merriam Dr.). Celebrate America at this patriotic display of over 3,000 American Flags. Throughout the event, there will be special Concerts, Ceremonies, and Festivities throughout the event honoring the American Armed Services including free concerts every Friday night at 6:30pm. All events are family-friendly and FREE of charge. 913.384.5440 www.flags4freedom.org

Independence Day at Lanesfield June 29, 30 & July 6,7 from 1-5 p.m. Lanesfield School Historic Site (18745 S. Dillie Rd. Edgerton KS). FREE drop in program! Come see the school decorated for an old-fashioned Independence Day. Try your hand at pen and ink and make a craft to take home. 913.893.6645 www.jocomuseum.org

Parkville 4th of July Festival July 4-7, English Landing Park. Carnival, Parade, and Fireworks in celebration of the 4th of July! Fees charged for carnival rides and concessions. Fireworks (9:45PM on the 4th of July) & Parade (10am on July 4) are free. 816.505.2227 www.parkvillemo.org/independenceday.html

Happy Birthday USA at Paradise Park July 1-4, Paradise Park (1021 Northeast Colbern Road, Lee’s Summit, MO). Happy Birthday USA is the theme of the week in the Children's EduTainment Center. Also, celebrate the holiday weekend at Paradise Park and receive a FREE medium Pepsi with the purchase of a Max Pak Unlimited wristband.  816.246.5224 www.paradise-park.com

Freedom Flings July 6, 12:00-5:00 PM, Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center (13805 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS) and Splash Cove (5800 King Ave, Shawnee, KS). Celebrate our nation’s birthday in the suns warm rays. Contests will be held throughout the day to provide a fun, festive atmosphere for patrons of all ages. Half price admission. 913.631.0054 www.cityofshawnee.org

KC Riverfest July 4 from 1pm-11pm, Berkley Riverfront Park on the Missouri River. Since 2005, KCRiverFest has been recognized as Kansas City’s premier Independence Day Festival on the Missouri River. KCRiverFest at Berkley Park is known as the only place in downtown Kansas City to celebrate the Fourth of July with spectacular fireworks, amazing food and world-class family entertainment and this year, KCRiverFest is the only place you'll get to see the unique, LED color-changing panels on the newly constructed Christopher S. Bond Bridge. Sunday, July 3rd will be the first time these lights will come to life with a fusion of patriotic color and movement not to be missed! For ticket Information: 816.221.0636 www.kcriverfest.com

4th of July at Fort Osage July 4, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Fort Osage (107 Osage St., Sibley, MO). Join our interpreters as they celebrate the 35th anniversary of American Independence. Musket and cannon demonstrations, patriotic speeches and interpretive demonstrations highlighting life on the early 19th century frontier makes this a perfect venue for celebrating our Independence! Price: Adults, $7.00; Youth, $4.00; Seniors, $3.00. 816.503.4860 www.jacksongov.org

Independence Day at Missouri Town July 4, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Missouri Town (8010 E. Park Road, Lee’s Summit, MO). Experience the 4th of July in an antebellum Missouri village as its residents celebrate Independence Day 1850’s style. A variety of activities for the entire family provide the perfect setting for a fun-filled day. A special patriotic parade, where visitors join staff strolling through the village, highlights the day! Adults, $5.00; Youth 5-13 and Seniors, $3.00; Under 5, Free. 816.503.4860 www.jacksongov.org

Lenexa Community Days Parade July 4, 10:00 AM, Downtown Lenexa. Celebrate the 4th as floats, bands antique cars and more as they wind their way through downtown Lenexa. 913.477.7100 www.ci.lenexa.ks.us

4th of July Fireworks in the Kansas City Area:

(Note: Many of these fireworks displays also include daytime fun with inflatables, concerts, and more!)

June 28:

19th Century Fireworks June 28, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm (1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe, KS). Enjoy a concert by the Olathe Civic Band at 7:30 p.m. followed by 19th century fireworks by the Olathe Fire Department at dark.  Show your American pride and bring your decorated bike/stroller/wagon.  Watch the 19th Century baseball game at 6:30 p.m.  Bring your lawn chairs, blanket and picnic dinner to enjoy this patriotic celebration. Free admission; special activities like stagecoach rides are $2/person. 913.971.5111 www.mahaffie.org

June 30:

Booms & Blooms at Powell Gardens June 30, Powell Gardens. It's peak time to enjoy the collection of more than 400 varieties of daylilies in the Perennial Garden. Look for your favorites at McConnell’s Plantland daylily sale in front of the Visitor Education Center throughout the festival. Come early for a splash through the Fountain Garden and a tour of the Fairy Houses & Forts Exhibition. Also enjoy Paint-A-Pot and face painting starting at 2 p.m. (extra fee applies). The music begins at 4:30 with jazz favorites on the lawn near the Fountain Garden. At 7:30 p.m. the Lee’s Summit Symphony Orchestra takes the stage for a pops concert that includes patriotic favorites. Enjoy a sizzling fireworks display that really shines against the dark country sky! It begins at the conclusion of the symphony's performance or approximately 9:30 p.m. Festival admission includes all day access to the Gardens including the Heartland Harvest Garden and the Fairy Houses & Forts exhibition, parking, trolley service and performances. Festival pricing: $12/adults, $10/seniors and $5/children 5-12. 816.697.2600 www.powellgardens.org

Fireworks at Evangel Temple June 30 at 5pm (fireworks at dark), Evangel Temple in Kansas City. Fireworks, food and fun! Entertainment for the whole family! Live Music, Inflatables, and Cheap Meal Deals. Invite your friends, family and co-workers to this FREE, family-friendly event! Bring a non-perishable food item to stock the Evangel Food Pantry. evangelkc.org

July 1:

Kearney, MO: July 1 at 5pm, Kearney Amphitheatre. The United States Air Force Band of Mid-America Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble is an 18-piece big band with a diverse repertoire of traditional swing, bebop, modern jazz, vocal selections, and the music of this great nation. During concerts, you may hear innovative, contemporary jazz works as well as the classic sounds of Count Basie or Glenn Miller. Several of the band's members are also gifted writers and arrangers, and their compositions are often featured. Free Admission and Parking. www.kearneyamphitheater.com

July 3:

Legacy Blast Fireworks: Lee's Summit July 3, Legacy Park (NE Legacy Park Drive in Lee’s Summit, MO). Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation and the City of Lee’s Summit invite you to a free fireworks extravaganza on Tuesday, July 3 at Legacy Park in Lee’s Summit. Legacy Park will open at 6pm via the south entrance of Legacy Park and close at 9pm. 816.969.1500 www.lsparks.net

Lexington, MO: July 3, Lions Park. Independence Day Fireworks Celebration. www.visitlexingtonmo.com

Kearney, MO: July 3, Kearney Amphitheatre. As we celebrate our nation's freedom this year during the Lion's Club Fireworks Celebration on July 3rd, you are invited to help others by donating to the Kearney Food Bank. As you enter Jesse James Park look for Kearney Food Bank volunteers in official blue t-shirts. Cash (or check) donations are requested. All donations will be used to purchase items to be distributed through the Kearney Food Bank - a non-profit cooperative effort of the Kearney Ministerial Alliance, the Kearney Enrichment Council, and the City of Kearney. Concert at 7:30pm, Fireworks at 9:30pm. Free Admission and Parking. www.kearneyamphitheater.com

July 4:

Jackson County Appreciation July 4 (Gates open at 6pm), Longview Lake Beach. Jackson County residents made bringing Major League Baseball’s 2012 All-Star Game to Kansas City possible through supporting renovations to Kauffman Stadium. This Appreciation Celebration is all about saying, “THANK YOU!”  Celebrate America’s Independence Day with appearances from Kansas City Royal alums. Discover where Jazz meets the Blues with a live performance of The David Basse Orchestra. Join us in saluting our veterans from Jackson County, and applaud the winners of the special Jackson County All-Stars Tournament. Then end the evening with a blast – the biggest fireworks display ever in Jackson County! www.jacksongov.org/content/3279/3737/7821.aspx

Leawood 4th of July Celebration July 4, Leawood City Park. Enjoy some great entertainment, participate in games and enjoy a variety of food vendors. Kids Activities, Food Vendors - 5:00 - 9:30 pm. Musical Entertainment - 7:30 - 9:30 pm. Fireworks - 9:45 pm. Free General Admission. All Access Ride / Activity Bands (for children 14 and under) - $6.00. The Aquatic Center will be open 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. City Park will be closed to all vehicular traffic on Monday July 4. Free shuttle buses will be running from the parking lots along Tomahawk Creek Parkway to City Park starting at 10:00am. 913.339.6700 x201 www.leawood.org

Platte City Family Fun and Fireworks July 4, Platte County R-3 High School. Hot dogs, swimming, and activities. Flag ceremony, patriotic band, and fireworks display at 9:15pm. 816.858.5627 www.plattecitymo.com

 Fireworks & Salute to the Union: Ft. Leavenworth July 4, 3:00 PM, Merritt Lake. Food, music & fun, Salute to the Union & fireworks at dusk.913.684.1702 www.visitleavenworthks.com

Star Spangled Spectacular: Overland Park July 4, Corporate Woods. Food, drink and merchandise vendors are on hand and musical acts perform before the fireworks begin at 9:30pm. All proceeds generated from this free event benefit local charities. www.starspangledspectacular.org

Oak Grove, MO: July 4, Webb Park. Children's games, vendor booths, inflatable games, music, entertainment and fireworks at 10:00pm. 816.690.4003 ext. 12 www.cityofoakgrove.com

Blue Springs, MO: July 4, Blue Springs High School Peve Stadium (2000 NW Ashton Drive). Watching a professional fireworks display is a safe way to enjoy the holiday - and it's free! Gates open at 7:30 p.m., live entertainment from 8-9:30 p.m. Fireworks display begins around 9:30 p.m. Concessions will be available. www.bluespringsgov.com

Gladstone, MO: July 4, Gladstone Amphitheater. Bring blankets, chairs and a picnic as you enjoy a FREE music and Fireworks! 816.437.2489 www.gladstone.mo.us

Parkville, MO: July 4, English Landing Park. Fireworks begin at 9:45pm, enjoy a carnival and festivities all day long including a parade at 10am. 816.505.2227 www.parkvillemo.org/independenceday.html

Olathe, KS: July 4, Great Mall of the Great Plains. Fourth of July Fireworks at 9:30 PM. (Rain date: July 5). www.olatheks.org

Gardner, KS: July 4, Celebration Park. The July 4th fireworks display and activities will take place at Celebration Park.  Families will be able to enjoy the large playground, picnic shelters and trails while they wait for the big show!  Additionally there will be a DJ playing your favorite songs along with inflatables for the children to enjoy.  The Color Guard will be present as well as the local orchestra to join in on the ceremonies. Tailgating in the parking lot is welcomed. 913.856.0939 www.gardnerkansas.gov/july4

Lansing, KS: July 4, Kenneth W. Bernard Community Park. 4th of July Fireworks Show at 9:30PM. 913.727.5488