How and where to celebrate the July 4th weekend in Columbia and mid-Missouri
With the Fourth of July falling on a Monday in 2022, people in Columbia and around mid-Missouri will be looking for ways to seize the long holiday weekend.
Whether raising a glass and letting out a summer sigh to the tune of live music, or basking in the colorful streaks fireworks leave across the sky, there are many ways to celebrate.
Here are just a few of the promising options on approach Friday through Monday.
Fireworks and July 4th festivities
Fire in the Sky: Columbia's main event features live music, kids' activities and food trucks before the evening ends with a bang-up fireworks display over Stephens Lake Park. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Monday. https://www.como.gov/parks-and-recreation/special-events-2/4th-july-fire-sky/
Salute to America: Jefferson City's holiday extravaganza stretches across two days with live music, a food court, parade, kids' activities, classic car show, live eagle exhibit and more, culminating in a fireworks show Monday night. Events begin at noon Sunday and 11 a.m. Monday. https://www.salutetoamerica.org/
Elsewhere in mid-Missouri: Communities such as Centralia, Mexico, Moberly, Holts Summit and Hermann will host fireworks events. Look for more information in the Tribune this week.
More: Where to see Fourth of July fireworks in Columbia and around mid-Missouri
Celebrate with live music
Red, White and Bluegrass: As part of its yearly, genre-specific series of musical celebrations, Rose Park invites roots-rockers — and Roots N Blues festival veterans — The Mighty Pines as well as their fellow St. Louisans River Kittens. 7 p.m. Friday; $8 to $10. https://rosemusichall.com/
Red, White and Bass: Rose continues its series with dance-oriented music featuring Trif3kta, Forize, H3L1X, Babysox, Pollux and Drip. 6:30 p.m. Saturday; $6 to $10.
Stars, Stripes and Symphony: The Missouri Symphony Orchestra, conducted by music director candidate Michelle Di Russo, will stretch out to touch various corners of American music with patriotic anthems, Broadway numbers and more. 7 p.m. Saturday at Missouri Theatre; $25 to $60. https://themosy.org/summer-music-festival/
Snakes and Sparklers: Rose completes its trifecta with Arkansas singer-songwriter Nick Shoulders and Columbia ex-pat Todd Day Wait. 7:30 p.m. Sunday; $10.
Parades
Ashland Fourth of July Parade: Ashland's annual parade will kick off at Southern Boone Primary School before winding on its way. 9 a.m. Saturday. https://www.ashlandmo.us/index.php
Auxvasse Veterans Parade: Veterans will be honored during this annual event in downtown Auxvasse. 11 a.m. Saturday. https://www.auxvassemo.com/index.html
Arrow Rock Impromptu Parade: If you live in — or will be visiting Arrow Rock — you are encouraged to "bring your decorated vehicle, your pet, your musical instrument, or join our amazing Kazoo band" for a parade down Main Street, according to an event description. 11 a.m. Monday. https://arrowrock.org/
Fulton Independence Day Parade: This annual parade begins at William Woods University and travels through the community. 2 p.m. Monday. https://fultonindependencedayparade.weebly.com/
Fun run
Parley P. Pratt Fun Run: This annual run, 27 years strong, is named for a 19th-century Mormon leader once jailed in Boone County; the "start/finish line is within a couple hundred feet of the exact place where Parley started his run for freedom in 1839," organizers note. Participants can choose either a 1- or 4-mile walk/run. Packet and T-shirt pickup begins at 6:30 a.m. Monday, with race times staggered at 7:20 and 7:30. Free registration must be completed by Sunday afternoon. https://www.pppfreedomrun.com/
Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. Find him on Twitter @aarikdanielsen.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Here's where the July 4th celebrations, fireworks around Columbia
