With the Independence Day holiday approaching, cities across the county are preparing for celebrations.
In Platte City, celebrations will begin at 9 a.m. in downtown Platte City. The event features foam and bubbles as well as water slides. Face painting and balloons will be available. Food offerings include hot dogs, lemonade, kettle corn, shaved ice, cotton candy and popsicles. A free shuttle will run from the Platte City Middle School parking lot to downtown from 8:45 a.m. to noon. The Fetterman’s hot dog eating contest will begin at 11:30 a.m. The event will end at noon, but the fun continues the evening of July 4 with a fireworks display at around 10 p.m. at the Platte County R-3 School District campus. There is no seating available at the schools.
In Parkville, start the morning with the annual pancake breakfast hosted by American Legion Post 318 from 7-10:30 a.m. The Parkville Farmers Market will also be open with extended hours with local vendors, a face painter, and a balloon artist for the kids. The annual Parkville 4th of July Parade begins at 10 a.m. The parade starts at 63rd Street and Hwy 9 and ends on Main Street in downtown Parkville. There will be live music in Pocket Park throughout the day and food trucks open at 6 p.m. A skydiving exhibition from Falcon Skydiving will be at around 8:45 p.m. and the fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs. Shuttles will run between the Platte County Community Center South and downtown Parkville from 6-10:30 p.m.
In Weston, the day begins with a children’s parade at 10 a.m. followed by a flag ceremony and tree dedication as well as the national anthem and pledge of allegiance. A brass band will perform from 10:30-11:30 a.m. followed by additional live music, family entertainment and children’s games. A pie contest will be judged at 2 p.m. and a street dance begins at 6 p.m. Fireworks presented by the Masonic Lodge will begin at dusk.