It’s the 235th birthday of America, and that means it’s time for fireworks! Where can you celebrate in Springfield?
Fireworks and lots of other entertainment will be right here in the neighborhood this Saturday, July 2. “Fireworks at the Field” will provide lots of different activities for the whole family during the day and conclude with the area’s largest fireworks display after dark.
Your event sticker gives you access to crafts at the Creamery Arts Center, ice-skating at Mediacom Ice Park, hands on activities at the Discovery Center, and inflatables (from Amberg Entertainment) along with live music beginning at 3pm at Hammons Field. The music line-up includes RetroGnomes (kids who play classic rock), Little Hoover’s Big Band (patriotic music), Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin (Indie Pop) and Big Smith (well-known Ozarks eclectic).
Stickers are available for $5.00 advanced purchase at Springfield area Price Cutter Supermarkets and at the Hammons Field Box office. Admission price on Saturday will cost
you $2 more. Veterans and active duty military personnel can get stickers at the gate for just $3. Kids under 5 are free. Only 20,000 stickers will be sold (Hammons Field capacity) so you might want to get one early.
The Urban Districts Alliance has partnered with CoxHealth, the Springfield Cardinals, John Q. Hammons Industries, and multiple downtown venues to host this celebration.
On July 4th itself, you can enjoy the Midtown Neighborhood Association’s 21st annual Old Fashion 4th of July Parade and Celebration. This free event begins at 10AM on the parking lots north of Central High School and travels north on Benton Avenue till it ends at Washington Park with continuing festivities. Bring your lawn chair, or just stand or sit 
on the curb along the parade route.
If the festivities in Springfield aren’t enough for you, many of the towns in southwest Missouri will be holding parades, festivals, and fireworks displays this weekend and on Monday. Marshfield celebrates with a 4-day rodeo AND the longest-running Independence Day parade west of the Mississippi! 417 Magazine has a good list of area events as part of their calendar at http://www.417mag.com/417-Magazine/417-Calendar/
“It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” John Adams, in a letter to his wife Abigail in 1776.