Salute to America to round out holiday weekend

Avrey Johnson, 8, powers his way toward the end zone Saturday afternoon, July 3, 2021, in the carnival area at the Salute to America celebration in downtown Jefferson City. Johnson got off to a fast start and was able to gradually make his way to touching the wall of the inflatable game. (Jason Strickland/News Tribune file photo)
Avrey Johnson, 8, powers his way toward the end zone Saturday afternoon, July 3, 2021, in the carnival area at the Salute to America celebration in downtown Jefferson City. Johnson got off to a fast start and was able to gradually make his way to touching the wall of the inflatable game. (Jason Strickland/News Tribune file photo)


Jefferson City's patriotic Salute to America Fourth of July festival is here again!

Festivities will take place all day Sunday and Monday downtown, and will wrap up Monday night with the Missouri Credit Union's firework show.

The carnival will kick off the festival at noon Sunday. There will be a variety of child-friendly activities, food and games.

The opening ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. with Busch's Florist's Red, White and Bloom parade following at 6:15 p.m. along High Street. There are around 50 entrants for the parade, and there will be tractors, firetrucks, music and even an appearance from Miss Missouri Teen. Immediately following the parade will be the Little Mr. and Miss Independence contest at 7:15 p.m. on the Madison Street Stage.

The Steve Miller Experience and the John Cougar Project tribute bands will cap the first night at 8 p.m. on the Capitol Main Stage.

On Monday, the carnival will start at 11 a.m. to signal another big day of activities. There will be a kid's zone with pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatables, a Scholastic Books giveaway and more.

Building Blocks of America will have Lego's and Duplo sets while teaming up with LabSpace Robotics to bring robot-type Legos and have students' Lego creations on display.

Heritage Village, Hill of Heroes and representatives from Governor's Mansion and Missouri's museums will be on the 200 block of East High Street. Military vehicles, fire trucks and ambulances will also be stationed there.

On the 100 block of East High Street will be more crafts and information vendors.

"Everyone is welcome. We try to do something different for everyone," event coordinator Penny Smith said.

The Route 66 Car Cruise will be from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Broadway and the Show Me talent show will be at 3 p.m. on the Madison Street Stage.

At 5:30 p.m., there will be children's games on the south lawn at the Capitol.

"Sack races, marshmallow toss, things like that. It'll be fun," Smith said.

Tim Hadler from Branson will be taking over the Capitol Main Stage to perform a "Hank Williams Revisited" tribute.

The festival will close Monday with Missouri Credit Union's Red, White and Boom firework concert at 9:45 p.m. on the north side of the Capitol.

Besides Missouri Credit Union, other sponsors for the event include Sam and Linda Bushman, UScellular, Hawthorn Bank, C&S Business Services, Rusty Drewing, Central Bank and more.

In the past, the widely anticipated Fourth of July celebration has brought in 30,000-40,000 people.

Public and VIP parking will be available, and a map of parking and vendors can be found on www.salutetoamerica.org/maps-and-parking.

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Archived file photos:

  photo  Jason Strickland/News Tribune file photo: Harper Kempker, 2, feeds a camel at the petting zoo on Madison Street as part of the 2021 Salute to America festivities downtown.
 
 
  photo  Jason Strickland/News Tribune file photo: High Street was lined with a variety of classic vehicles on a Sunday afternoon during the 2021 Route 66 Car Cruise.