Fourth of July means plenty of opportunities to celebrate with everything from fireworks to live music.
Kick off the weekend with Rose Park’s Red, White & Bluegrass at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, featuring Arkansauce and Mercer & Johnson. Continue the musical fun with Red, White & Blues at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Rose Park, featuring The Daves, Fox Deluxe and Buddha Blue. Tickets to both shows are $10, though those for Red, White & Blues are only $8 if purchased before Sunday.
On Independence Day itself, there are several ways to celebrate in central Missouri. Those who want to venture a bit further south can enjoy Jefferson City’s annual Salute to America from 8 a.m.- 10 p.m. The event includes vendors, live music, a parade, community bike ride, chalk art contest, magic show, fireworks and more. To learn more, visit salutetoamerica.org.
In Ashland, there will be a parade at 9 a.m. To see the full route and learn more, visit the event page on Facebook.
And in Columbia, the annual Fire in the Sky celebration will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Stephens Lake Park Amphitheater with kids’ activities and crafts, food truck and live music. The fireworks display will begin at 9:15 p.m. from the east side of the park.
In addition to parking around the park, complimentary shuttles will run from all six city parking garages to the Boone Hospital parking lot from 5-11 p.m. Shuttles will be able to be tracked using the city’s free DoubleMap app. Parking enforcement will be suspended as well, meaning on street and garage parking will be free on July 4.
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs in order to enjoy the evening with the community. For more information, visit the city’s Fire in the Sky event page.