Millbottom joins local Fourth of July celebration


Pictured is Dave Baker, singer of Five Turn Knot, which will perform Saturday
night at the Millbottom Event Center in Jefferson City.
Pictured is Dave Baker, singer of Five Turn Knot, which will perform Saturday night at the Millbottom Event Center in Jefferson City.

Jefferson City's renewed Millbottom, located in the shadow of the Missouri Capitol, is joining the Fourth of July celebration this year with its first "Rock the Millbottom" event.

The two-day event starts on Friday with a free bike race for all ages at Red Wheel Bike Shop. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the race is from 9-11 a.m.

Preregistration for the "Red, Bike & Blue Family Fun Ride" is encouraged but not required at planetreg.com/redbikeblue. Pre-registered participants will be entered to win a prize package for most patriotic bicycle and bicyclist. Red Wheel Bike Shop will provide a limited supply of bikes on request to pre-registered participants.

The "easy and scenic" seven-mile loop takes riders across the pedestrian bike bridge to North Jefferson City.

Prizes also will be awarded for best-decorated bike and bicyclist.

The newly remodeled Millbottom Event Center will be open to the public on both days, and local bar Shrunken Head Tropic Lounge and Les Bourgeois will sell drinks. Food will be sold by Root Cellar and Moose Bros. BBQ. Face painting also will be available both days.

On Saturday, Low Rent District, made up of two sets of brothers, will play from noon to 3 p.m. outside under a tent.

Attendees can get a front-row seat to the Salute to America fireworks show on Saturday night, then stay to watch Five Turn Knot play a variety of genres, from rock to country to pop.

"Come out and celebrate the Fourth of July," said Ron Dawson, owner of the Millbottom Event Center. "It's a great location for the fireworks, and to enjoy some local food and entertainment."

The cost is $10 a person or $25 a family. More details are on the Millbottom's Facebook page.

Members of the military get in free by showing their military ID.