Emporia’s Independence Day holiday activities will have a good start next week.
The Veterans Legacy Fund has been rapidly developing a parade and All-American Cookout event for July 3. On KVOE’s Morning Show on Wednesday, organizer Richelle Birk said the parade now has over 50 entries with a goal now of topping 60. Fellow organizer Ashley Mitchell says there has been a lot of work to get to this point.
Ahead of the festivities July 3: New banners, thanks to the Legacy Fund, Coffelt Signs and permission from the city of Emporia. Richelle Birk credited the team at Coffelt for designing the banners.
Clay Childs says this parade is different because it’s focusing on veterans and their families.
Plans are also coming together for the cookout, which will follow at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. Mitchell says there will be food — but more than that as well.
The parade begins at 4th and Commercial at 9:30 am on July 3, with registration and lineup beginning at 8:30 am. The cookout follows, going from 11 am to 1 pm.
While planning for the parade and cookout is in the late stages, discussions are underway for a big community event through the Veterans Legacy Fund next year. Childs says organizers of Tunnel to Towers, a traveling display honoring the memory and legacy of Sept 11, 2001, have reached out for a possible stop in Emporia next year. This has been a goal of the Veterans Legacy Fund since it was announced earlier this year. Fund organizers are reviewing the paperwork needed to bring the traveling memorial to Emporia next fall.
To enter for the parade or volunteer for the event, go online to vlfemporia.org.
