With this Fourth of July celebrating 250 years of American independence, several area communities are holding special activities.
Cottonwood Falls has activities starting at 5 pm Friday. Organizer Clay Childs says there will be a block party on Broadway between Pearl and Friend.
Kids activities start things off. Organizer Ray McGeorge says the celebration is a point of pride for the community.
Lebo’s annual Stars and Stripes Celebration begins Friday with kids games and the Hometown Graven Grind before fireworks at dusk.
One of the schedule highlights is the return of Red, White, Blue and Bulls, courtesy of Frog Creek Fighting Bulls. Company owner Dakota Knight says the name of the game is simple — and it brings in contestants from across the country.
Knight says style points are a big thing.
Red, White, Blue and Bulls starts at 7 pm at 671 24th Road. Scott Wolverton will have live music.
Other activities Saturday in Lebo include cornhole and pickleball tournaments, the annual Bob Ellis Memorial Tractor Show, a baby contest, a toddler costume contest and parade. Activities wrap up Sunday with bingo.
Also:
*Council Grove will have a celebration Saturday, including a free swim, so-called Graveyard Games and a beer garden leading up to a fireworks display at 10 pm at the Neosho Riverwalk
*Gridley’s celebration begins Friday, with a cruise-in, outdoor games, ice cream social and live music as part of the activities Friday before sports activities, a youth fishing derby, kids games, a Masonic Lodge car raffle, Stars and Stripes Olympics, parade and other activities lead to fireworks and more live music
*Hamilton’s Party in the Park will have food being served at 6 pm, followed by fireworks at the old football field at dark
*Melvern Lake has “Echos Over Eisenhower” on Friday, with family activities, food vendors and music ahead of a fireworks show at dusk
*Osage City has a free swim. A fireworks celebration is actually taking place July 11
As mentioned previously, Emporia will have a parade and All-American Cookout on Friday as organized by the Veterans Legacy Fund, with the parade starting at 9:30 am at Fourth and Commercial and the cookout happening at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. KVOE’s Talk of Emporia will take place from the Fairgrounds at 11:06 am Friday.
