If you want to celebrate the nation’s 248th birthday in the Kansas City area, chances are you don’t have to travel far. Moreover, you have a choice of days.
While several communities, including Bonner Springs, Raymore and Shawnee, will get a head start on the Fourth of July festivities this weekend, the bulk of the area’s activities will take place next week. Activities leading up to the holiday itself include celebrations in Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit, Liberty and Kansas City, Kansas.
The highlight of the 4th of July is the Stars and Stripes Picnic outside the National WWI Museum and Memorial. It will feature live entertainment from midday, followed by what is billed as “the biggest fireworks display in the city” at approximately 9:35 p.m.
On the Kansas side, Star Spangled Spectacular in Overland Park will feature live music starting at 5 p.m., with fireworks scheduled for 10:05 p.m.
Although start times for these events vary, you can expect fireworks sometime after sunset.
Here’s a look at the best fireworks shows and other 4th of July festivities in the area:
Celebrate extra early
Bonner Feathers: Bonner Blast, 5 p.m., June 27, Kelly Murphy Park. llchamber.com.
Shawnee: Parked!, 5:30 PM June 28, Stump Park. shawnee-ks.com.
Raymore: Spirit of America Celebration, 6 p.m. June 28, Recreation Park. raymore.com.
Merriam: Flags 4 Freedom, 7 a.m., June 29 through July 6. Merriam Marketplace. merriam.org.
Lansing: Independence Days, 3 p.m., June 29, Lansing High School. lansingks.org.
Osawatomie: Lights on the Lake, 5 p.m. June 29, Osawatomie City Lake. osawatomielotl.com.
Kansas City/Jackson County
Blue sources: Red, White & Blue Springs, Blue Springs South High School, 3 p.m., July 3. bluespringsgov.com.
Lee’s top: Legacy Blast, Legacy Park, 6pm on July 3. cityofls.net/parks.
National WWI Museum and Monument: Stars and Stripes Picnic, 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM, July 4. theworldwar.org.
Independence: Independence Day Fireworks Celebration, Independence Visitors Center, 5 p.m., July 5. Independencemo.gov.
Northland
Kearney: Fireworks Celebration, Kearney Amphitheatre, 5 p.m. July 3. kearneymo.us.
Freedom: Liberty Fest, Capitol Federal Sports Complex, 6 p.m. July 3, parking $10. thelibertyfest.com.
Parkville: Parkville 4th of July Celebration, Downtown Parkville, 10am – 10:30pm, 4th of July. parkvillemo.org.
Worlds of fun: Starry Night, 11am on July 4; $29.99 – $39.99. worldsoffun.com.
Weston: Weston’s 4th of July Celebration, West Platte High School, 4 p.m. July 4. visitplatte.com.
Smithville: Fireworks Show, Smith’s Fork Park, 9:00 PM on the 4th of July. smithvillechamber.org.
Johnson County
Edgerton: Community Picnic and Fireworks Show, Martin Creek Park, 6pm, July 3. edgertonks.org.
Bishop Miege secondary school: Northeast Johnson County Fireworks Show, Dusk July 3. fairwaykansas.org.
Gardener: Independence Day Festival, 5pm on July 4th. gardnerkansas.gov.
Overland Park: Star Spangled Spectacular, Corporate Woods Founders’ Park, 5pm on July 4. opkansas.org.
Leawood: Celebration in the park, city park, 6 p.m. on the 4th of July. leawood.org.
Stilwell: 4th of July Parade and Fireworks, Evergy Service Center, 6:00 PM on the 4th of July. stilwellcommunity.org.
DeSoto: Fourth of July Celebration, Riverfest Park, 7:00 PM on July 4th. desotoks.us.
Olathe: College Boulevard Activities Center, 9:45 p.m., July 4. olatheks.gov.
Other Kansas Events
Kansas City, Kansas: Fireworks in the park, Pierson Park, 9:45 p.m., July 2. turnerrecreation.org.
Paola: Spectacular fireworks, Lake Miola, 4:30 p.m., July 3. paolachamber.org.
Louisburg: Freedom Festival, Lewis-Young Park, 5 p.m., July 4. miamicountyks.org.
Fort Leavenworth: 4th of July Celebration, Merritt Lake, 6pm 4th of July. leavenworth.armymwr.com.
Other highlights
Prairie Village: Village Fest, Harmon Park and Municipal Campus, 7:30am – 1:00pm, July 4. pvkansas.com.
Deanna Rose petting zoo: Celebration of the Fourth at the Farm, 9am – 1pm, July 4; included with admission, $5. opkansas.org.
Missouri City: Independence Day, 9am – 4pm July 4 (parade, noon); $4-$8. makeyourdayhere.com.
Flat city: Platte City 4th of July, Main Street, 9am – 12pm 4th of July. plattecitymo.com.
Lenexa: Community Day Parade, Old Town Lenexa, 10 a.m. July 4. lenexa.com.
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm: Mahaffies Independence Day Celebration, 10am-4pm on July 6; $2-$9. mahaffie.org.
