Local area offers annual Independence Day events

A number of local Independence Day celebrations will be available to area residents July 3-4.

The 2009 Gunn Park Freedom Fest, which is scheduled to take place from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Gunn Park, 1010 Park Ave., features a full day of games and activities, food and refreshments, fun contests, children's rides and attractions, music, and other events. The event is coordinated each year by the Fort Scott Gunn Park Committee and the City of Fort Scott.

The annual Fort Scott Fourth of July fireworks display, which is organized and conducted each year by the Fort Scott Elks Lodge 579, is scheduled to begin about 9:15 p.m. July 4 at Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St. The City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Mercy Health Center and several local banks and businesses all contribute money to help with the celebration.

The fourth annual "Independence Day Bash," a popular local event that is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Uniontown City Park, will feature games and activities for people of all ages, food and refreshments, and live entertainment. The event, sponsored by Union State Bank, will conclude with a fireworks display later that evening.

Another local Fourth of July tradition is the annual Burke Street parade, which is set to begin at 10 a.m. July 4 at the corner of 10th and Burke streets in Fort Scott. The 28th annual parade will follow a route south to Marblecrest Drive, then turn north on Horton Street to Marblecrest Terrace, and then turn west to follow Marblecrest Terrace back to Burke Street where it will end at the home of Amanda Gilmore, 1202 S. Burke St. Refreshments will be served at the end of the parade.

The traditional parade typically features marchers, bikes and strollers, decorated dogs, a horse and tractor, costumed characters, motorcycles, cars, and synchronized lawn-mower teams. Participants are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to celebrate the patriotic holiday, parade co-organizer Teresa Bahr said.

Independence Day is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, when the United States declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. People across the country participate in various public and private events such on July 4 to celebrate the history, government, and traditions of the U.S.