If you’re looking to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s Independence Day, you won’t have to travel far to find a fireworks show to help spark your patriotism.
Many cities and local organizations are planning fireworks shows throughout Jefferson County and Eureka this year.
The Twin City Firecracker Festival, which is held by the cities of Festus and Crystal City, starts the celebration on June 26-27 with most activities in Larry G. Crites Memorial Park in Festus.
The city of Arnold will hold its annual Independence Day Celebration on June 27 in Arnold City Park.
On July 3, Big River VFW Post 5331 will hold its event in Cedar Hill, and the city of Herculaneum along with the Light Up the Sky Foundation will hold an event at William C. Haggard City Park.
On July 4, the Cedar Hill Elks Lodge 2678 will hold an Independence Day event at its lodge; the city of Eureka’s Independence Day Celebration will be held at the Central Avenue Spur and the city of Hillsboro will hold an event at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
Arnold
The city of Arnold added a few additional features to its annual Independence Day Celebration, which will be held from 5-11 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at Arnold City Park, 2400 Bradley Beach Road. The fireworks display will start at about 9:30 p.m., said Ajsa Roach, Arnold Parks and Recreation Department deputy director.
The event will feature an eagle named Maverick flying in the park during the event, and a stilt walker dressed as the Statue of Liberty roaming the grounds.
“We definitely wanted to do something special for the 250th anniversary of the United States,” Roach said. “That is why we added the flying eagle and an additional stilt walker. We also always want to add new things to our events.”
No admission will be charged to attend the event, and there is no fee to park.
The Statue of Liberty stilt walker joins an Uncle Sam stilt walker, who was at the event last year. The performers are from Circus Kaput, and they will be available to take pictures with from 6-9 p.m.
“The kids love it because I think they are amazed by how tall these folks are,” Roach said. “Circus Kaput’s staff is amazing, and they really engage with the public.”
Roach said the event will feature area vendors selling various foods and beverages, and the Arnold Jaycees, a nonprofit civic group, will operate a beer tent and snow cone stand.
People may bring in food and beverages, but glass bottles and containers are not allowed, Roach said.
Maverick will not be the only eagle in the park. The World Bird Sanctuary also will have bald eagles available to take pictures with from 6-8 p.m.
The city will hold a pie-eating contest at 6 p.m. The contest, which is free to enter, will be limited to 15 participants who are 18 years old or older.
Roach said people may sign up to participate at the beer tent, and the person who eats a pie the quickest will receive a $25 gift card to an area business.
Lawn games, such as corn hole and a frisbee game called Kan Jam, may be played for free from 6-8 p.m.
The Arnold Veterans Commission will sell raffle tickets to win items, such as a gas barbecue grill, a meat package, bucket of golf balls and other items. The group also will hold a 50/50 drawing.
Raffle tickets may be purchased for $20 for an arm’s length or six for $5. Roach said raffle tickets may only be purchased with cash, and there will not be ATMs at the park.
The Veterans Commission also will hold the flag-folding demonstration at 6:45 p.m.
The Bobby Ford Band, which plays country music, will perform from 7-11 p.m. Roach said Bobby Ford is from Arnold, and the band is performing for the first time at a city event.
“We have always talked about having a country band for Independence Day,” Roach said. “We think it fits the theme, and we like to offer different bands.”
The event will peak with the fireworks display, which will be set off from the park’s ball field. The display is one of three that Gateway Pyrotechnic Productions does for the city each year.
The company also does fireworks displays that include laser shows from the park’s pond on the first and second nights of Arnold Days in September.
Roach said the Independence Day celebration display will end with an extra bang.
“The Arnold Jaycees made a donation to help with the grand finale,” she said. “It is going to be something spectacular, which we encourage folks to come to the park and check out.”
Roach said the fireworks display cost a total of $35,500, and the Arnold Jaycees donated $5,000. She said the display will last about 15 minutes.
For information about the event, go to the Arnold Parks and Recreation Facebook page, arnoldmo.org or call 636-282-2380.
Big River
Big River VFW Post 5331 will celebrate Independence Day with music, a raffle, BBQ and fireworks on Friday, July 3.
Organizer Eva Maloney said the free event, open to the public, kicks off at 11 a.m. at the post, 1 Lynn Lane, in Cedar Hill, with the fireworks display planned for around dusk.
VFW and auxiliary members will barbecue pork steaks, pulled pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, brats and chicken. Sides will also be available, including baked beans, coleslaw, green beans, and mac and cheese.
Maloney said funnel cakes and margaritas will also be available for sale. A 50/50 raffle will be drawn, and Maloney said two local bands will perform, although details were not available before publication.
Maloney said a sinkhole in the VFW parking lot has tempered the members’ big plans to celebrate America’s 250th. The sinkhole is currently being repaired, and Maloney said a portion of the parking lot is closed to keep the public safe.
“It was unfortunate that it happened this year, because we really wanted to go all out for 250 years, but we had to take into consideration the safety of the families,” she said. “With the local events we do, we had to cut back funds for (repairing the sinkhole) and come up with donations. It’s been a trying year for us.”
This year’s fireworks display is expected to last about 20-30 minutes.
“We have a pavilion where people can come, sit down and eat,” Maloney said. “The best thing is to bring lawn chairs, come out and have a good time with us. People actually line up on Hwy. 30 and Veterans Drive to watch the fireworks.”
For information, visit the Big River VFW Post 5331 Facebook page or call 636-274-5001.
Cedar Hill
Cedar Hill Elks Lodge 2678 will celebrate Independence Day with live music, BBQ and fireworks.
The free event, open to the public, will take place from noon to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, at the lodge, 8430 Industrial Drive, in Cedar Hill.
Organizer Debbie Bennett, who is chair of the Elks’ veterans committee, said this is the first time the lodge has hosted a fireworks show on the Fourth of July. The day will include music from Close Enough to Country and The Rah, karaoke, a 40-foot obstacle course and water slide, games for children and a small local vendor’s market.
The Elk Riders will be barbecuing and selling food and drinks, Bennett said, including brats, hot dogs, hamburgers and sides.
Bennett said all veterans and first responders will eat for free that day.
No outside food or drink is allowed. Bennett said the lodge has quite a few chairs, but attendees may bring lawn chairs if they like.
“It probably wouldn’t hurt to bring them,” she said. “This is the first time we’ve done this on the Fourth of July, so we don’t know what to expect. We’re hoping to get a nice crowd.”
Close Enough to Country is expected to play from noon to 3 p.m., Bennett said. The band plays “a little bit of everything,” especially country and older rock and roll hits, she said.
The Rah is to take the stage from 5-8 p.m., also plays a mixture of older hits, and Bennett said both bands should be playing patriotic music throughout the day.
In between the two live music sets is karaoke, from 3-5 p.m. Bennett said all ages are encouraged to sign up and sing their favorite songs.
A roughly 45-minute fireworks show, put on by Elks members, will begin at dusk, Bennett said.
About 10 local vendors will have booths at the event, selling ice cream, snow cones and handmade crafts.
“We will also have people dressed up like Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty, so people can have their pictures taken with either of them,” she said.
For information, call Bennett at (815) 693-3215.
De Soto
Three days of activities will be held in De Soto to celebrate Independence Day and the United States’ 250th birthday.
Sarah Greenlee, office coordinator for the De Soto Chamber of Commerce, said the opening ceremony, or Semiquincentennial Celebration Launch, will be from 5-9 p.m. July 3 at the Arlington Event Center, 207 E. Main St.
She said at 5 p.m., Mayor Kathy Smith will present a proclamation of a Liberty Tree, which was planted at 1100 N. Main St. and Beverly Wilson, president of the De Soto Board of Education, will read excerpts of the Declaration of Independence.
There will be performances, awards and a food truck. A car cruise will be held from about 5-9 p.m. The Drama Party Band will perform from 6-9 p.m.
She said before the ceremony, the Amvets Post 48 Auxiliary will host carnival type games for children at 10 a.m. at 1075 Amvets Drive.
On July 4, activities kick off at 10 a.m. with the 98th annual De Soto Fourth of July Parade. The parade will start near Mahn Funeral Home on Main Street and head south to St. Louis Street and end at the De Soto School District’s JC Culwell Stadium. The theme is American 250th Birthday Brigade and the parade marshals will be Jim and Mary Lou Akers.
Greenlee said the parade typically draws about 100 entries. Any organization or person who would like to enter the parade should call 636-586-5591 or email desotomo_chamber@yahoo.com by June 30.
The cost to enter is $15 (up to five vehicles per organization). Lineup is at 8:30 a.m. in the GraceLife Chapel and Mahn Funeral Home parking lots.
The Amvets Post 48 and the VFW Post 1831, 1651 Veterans Drive, will have barbecues after the parade from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The annual fireworks display will take place at dusk near the De Soto High School baseball fields. No admission is charged to attend the event.
In 2024, the chamber took over planning and fundraising for the annual fireworks display, which costs about $20,000. Greenlee said they still are accepting donations and fireworks sponsors.
Greenlee said the Amvets Post 48 Riders cook shack and beer garden will be open during the fireworks display.
On July 5, a conclusion ceremony and a family fun day will be held at the VFW Post 1831 from noon to 5 p.m. Activities include a craft fair, cornhole tournament, water balloon/water gun battles and bounce houses. There will be concessions.
Eureka
The city of Eureka is planning a bigger and better fireworks show this year to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The city’s Independence Day celebration is scheduled for 6-10 p.m., Saturday, July 4, at the Central Avenue Spur, 394 S. Central Ave.
Steven Woolley and the Groove will play live music throughout the event. Kids activities, crafts and yard games will be available from 6-8 p.m., and a pyro-musical fireworks show is set to begin at 9:30 p.m.
Kona Ice and Theo’s Gyros will set up at the Spur, providing refreshments.
Parks and Recreation Department supervisor Lizzie Roberds said the fireworks show, put on by J&M Displays, will last about 17-18 minutes. Steven Woolley is expected to come back onstage for a quick set following the show, before the event concludes at 10 p.m.
“Normally, our budget for fireworks is $20,000 on the Fourth of July; this year, we did add another $5,000 to spread throughout the show, to make the finale bigger and better for the 250th,” Roberds said.
J&M Displays will shoot off the fireworks from nearby Drewel Park, 2 Hill Drive. The park will be closed from Friday, July 3, through Monday, July 6, to allow for the fireworks display.
Roberds said Steven Woolley frequently plays at Eureka’s events, including Eureka Days and Concert on Central.
“He’s a lot of fun,” she said. “He does a good mix of some country songs, and he’ll definitely do some Americana songs.”
Coolers are welcome at the Spur, but Roberds said all glass bottles should be left at home. She also said dogs should be left at home for the fireworks show. Picnic blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged.
Roberds said Play9 Sports will be hosting a softball tournament over the Fourth of July weekend, so parking at the ball fields may be limited. Parking is available at the lot behind the Spur, accessed by Hwy. 109. Public parking is also available along Central Avenue and Thresher Drive.
A rainout date is scheduled for the same time on Sunday, July 5.
“We try to keep (the Independence Day Celebration) on the Fourth, and there have been a couple of times it’s worked out Saturday,” Roberds said. “I’m interested to see what happens. Obviously, it’s been a number of years since we’ve had it on a weekend, so I’m looking forward to it, and I’d like to think people will stay local and come to their hometown party and just have a good time with us.”
For information, visit the city’s website, eureka.mo.us or call the Parks Department at 636-938-6775.
Herculaneum
The city of Herculaneum is co-hosting a fireworks event with the Light Up the Sky Foundation on July 3. The event begins at 5 p.m. at William C. Haggard City Park, 776 Joachim Ave., with fireworks starting around 9:20 p.m. at Bates Park, just across the Joachim River.
Todd Hogan, Herculaneum Ward 3 alderman, said the event will have food trucks, such as Hogz in Da Hood BBQ, The Brunch Box, The Hangry Hub, The Wandering Bean, Sweet Waffle STL and Tropical Treats. He said the Herculaneum Amvets Post 42 will also be serving hot dogs, hamburgers and adult beverages.
Hogan said The Generation Band will be performing live music from 5 p.m. to around 9 p.m.
There will be several free bounce houses available for children during that time. Post 42 Golf will be hosting a two-person scramble from noon to 3:30 p.m. and will then have open play until the fireworks begin. Adult beverages will also be sold at their location.
Hogan said the city may close a portion of Joachim Avenue to create more of a festival atmosphere for the event.
Hogan said admission to the event is free.
Hillsboro
The Hillsboro Community Civic Club will hold a free fireworks display on July 4 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10349 Business 21, in Hillsboro. Gates open at 6 p.m., and the fireworks show is expected to begin at dusk. Admission and parking are free.
Event organizer Terry Glass said the fireworks show will last about 30 minutes.
He said it will be held in a new part of the fairgrounds this year.
“We are moving over to the ride area, where all the giant rides that we have for the fair, we’re going to use that area for our spectators this year,” he said.
Glass said up to 14 vendors from Jefferson County and surrounding areas will be sell items during the event.
People may bring outside food and drink to the event, Glass said.
For more information, visit jeffersoncountyfair.net or call 636-789-2600.
Twin City Firecracker Festival
Country music star Pam Tillis is slated to perform during the second night of the 37th annual Twin City Firecracker Festival.
The festival will be held Friday and Saturday with most activities in Larry G. Crites Memorial Park in Festus. Tillis is scheduled to perform from 8:30-10 p.m. Saturday on Mayor Mike’s Stage.
Tillis, named the 1994 Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year, is known for such hit songs as “Maybe It Was Memphis,” “Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life),” “Shake the Sugar Tree” and “Don’t Tell Me What to Do,” among many others.
Barb Lowry, Festus director of recreation and tourism, said event organizers are pleased to have a performer of Tillis’ stature at the festival in the park located along Sunshine Drive (Old Hwy. A).
“We’re very excited and feel very fortunate that we were able to secure such a fantastic act for our festival goers,” Lowry said. “We’ve never had a female headliner before.”
The music performances take place at Mayor Mike’s Stage in the northern portion of the park.
On Friday, the band Dear Darla will perform 7-10 p.m. on the stage. Country music singer-songwriter Ian Ferguson will perform from 6-8 p.m. Saturday.
A new feature of the festival will be a Patriotic Drone Show at 10 p.m. Friday.
“It is drones in the air with lights on them,” Lowry said. “The drones will make designs in the air, basically. The show lasts around 15 minutes.”
She said the festival’s fireworks display was changed from being split between the two nights to only happening on Saturday several years ago.
“The fireworks are on Saturday at 10, after the headliner,” she said. “It’s going to be very similar to last year, with the same content. It’s about a 20-minute show.”
Carnival rides will be offered both days, with the rides operating from 4-11 p.m. Friday and 3-11 p.m. Saturday.
Armbands will be sold for $30 and may only be used from 5-11 p.m. Friday. Ride tickets may be purchased for $1.25 each or $20 for 22 tickets.
“The carnival rides will be over at the gazebo field, or the old fairgrounds, depending how old you are,” Lowry said.
Lowry said there will be plenty of vendors selling their food, crafts and other items during the two-day event.
“We’re sold out on vendors,” she said. “There will be dozens. They’ll be on the stage field. They’ll be on the edges of the stage field.”
For more information about the festival, visit festusmo.gov.
The Festus Tourism Commission, city of Festus, city of Crystal City, Festus Parks Department, Festus Parks Board and the public works departments of Crystal City and Festus team up to put on the festival, Lowry said.
Other festival activities include:
■ Fishing derbies, one for youngsters from 8-10 a.m. and one for seniors from 10 a.m. to noon), will be held Saturday at Al Brown Lake. “It doesn’t cost anything to sign up,” Lowry said. “You can do that on the city website or you can print out a paper registration form, fill it out and send it to me at City Hall.”
■ Third annual Firecracker Festival Car Show presented by the Festus R-6 School Foundation, starts at 10 a.m., with awards at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the park. The rain location if needed is the Festus Middle School parking lot, 1717 W. Main St. Registration costs $20.
For more information, visit the Festus R-6 School Foundation page on Facebook or contact Kevin Pope at 636-638-2004 or popekevin@festusedu.com.
■ Both days, activities featuring animals will take place, Lowry said.
“We’ll have a petting zoo, which is free,” she said. “We’ll also have, I’m going to say, pony rides, but I never know if they’re going to bring ponies or camels, so they’ll have something to ride near the petting zoo. I won’t know until they get here. There is a fee for the rides.”