4th of July Fun!

Have a safe and happy 4^th of July weekend!  See the list below and enjoy one of the many fireworks displays in our area. Click Reply above to let everyone know about other fireworks celebrations nearby.

Thursday, June 30

• Olathe, KS
  19th Century Fireworks and Olathe Civic Band Concert 
  Festivites begin at 6 p.m. at Mahaffie Farmstead, with stagecoach rides, 19th-century games, a bike parade, performance by the Olathe Civic Band, a talk about 19th-century baseball, then 19th-century fireworks about 9:15 p.m.
  Free admission

Friday, July 1

• Lee’s Summit, MO
  Legacy Blast Fireworks Extravaganza  
  Food vendors, entertainers & inflatables will be on site before the fireworks. Bring the family & blankets for fun under the stars and of course an AMAZING fireworks display choreographed to music all at Legacy Park on NE Legacy Park Drive in Lee’s Summit. The south entrance of the park will open at 6 p.m. and will close at 9.
  Free admission

Saturday, July 2

• Kingsville, MO
  Booms & Blooms Festival 
  Daylilies blooming bright, patriotic music by the Lee’s Summit Symphony, homemade ice cream for sale, and picnics by the lake all make for a perfect day. A booming fireworks display makes a dazzling finish. Live music by Megan Birdsall & Friends precedes the Lee’s Summit Symphony.
  Festival admission charged

• Kansas City
  KC Riverfest’s Fireworks PREVIEW 
  Come out to Richard L. Berkley Park along the banks of the Missouri River on July 2 at 10:05 p.m. for a fun “sneak peek” version of the massive July 3 fireworks show by Zambelli. This six-minute preview show is one-third the length but 100% of the excitement of the main show on Sunday.
  Riverfest admission charged at the park

• Kansas City
  Worlds of Fun’s Huge Independence Weekend Fireworks Displays 
  In addition to fireworks every Saturday in July, enjoy HUGE fireworks displays on Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Independence Day weekend at 10 p.m.! The displays are timed to music throughout the park!
  Park admission charged

Sunday, July 3

• Kansas City
  KC Riverfest’s Zambelli Fireworks KC Pyro Spectacular  
  Come out to Richard L. Berkley Park along the banks of the Missouri River on July 3 for fireworks at KC Riverfest. The fireworks show will begin at 10:05 p.m. and last about 19 minutes. It will be simulcast with music courtesy of Mix 93.3.
  Riverfest admission charged at the park

• Kansas City
  Worlds of Fun Huge Independence Weekend Fireworks Displays 
  In addition to fireworks every Saturday in July, enjoy HUGE fireworks displays on Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Independence Day weekend at 10 p.m.! The displays are timed to music throughout the park!
  Park admission charged

• Kearney, MO
  Lion’s Club Fireworks Celebration  
  Bring lawn chairs or blankets for the concert by KC Party Band Switch with More than a Feeling – the Music of Boston. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., followed by fireworks.
  Free admission

Monday, July 4

• Blue Springs, MO
  Blue Springs Annual City Fireworks Display  
  The City of Blue Springs proudly presents the annual Fireworks Program at Blue Springs High School’s Peve Stadium.  Watching a professional fireworks display is a safe way to enjoy the holiday – and it’s free! Gates open at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin about 9:30.
  Free admission

• Derby, KS
  4^th of July in the City of Derby 
  Check out the city’s website for all the Independence Day activities, including a blood drive, breakfast, parade and finally Fireworks! Fireworks are set to begin at High Park at 9:40 p.m. Capitol Federal is a proud sponsor of the McConnell Post-Parade 4th of July BBQ!
  Free admission

• Ft. Leavenworth, KS
  Fireworks & Salute to the Union 
  Activities at Merritt Lake from 3 – 10 p.m. include food, games, bounce houses for the kids, live entertainment by classic rock band The Kicks, a parachute demonstration by the K-State parachute team, “Salute to the Union” at 8 p.m. and fireworks about 9:30.
  Free admission

• Gardner, KS
  July 4th Celebration and Fireworks Display 
  Celebrate Independence Day at the 4th of July fireworks display.  Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. at the Gardner-Edgerton High School.
  Free admission

• Gladstone, MO
  Gladstone’s 4th of July Celebration 
  Enjoy the northland city’s fireworks display from the Gladstone Amphitheatre.
  Free admission

• Harrisonville, MO
  July 4th in City Park 
  Enjoy fun, food, music and the area’s largest fireworks display. Celebrate Independence Day at the park!
  Free admission

• Independence, MO
  Celebrate July 4th in Independence 
  The City’s annual July 4^th celebration with traditional patriotic music and fireworks is scheduled for Monday, July 4 at the Mormon Visitors Center, 937 W. Walnut. The gates will open at 8 p.m. The Spirit of Independence Community Concert Band begins at 8:30 p.m. and the fireworks display begins at dark. Bring lawn chairs and/or blankets for seating.
  Free admission

• Kansas City
  Worlds of Fun Huge Independence Weekend Fireworks Displays 
  In addition to fireworks every Saturday in July, enjoy HUGE fireworks displays on Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Independence Day weekend at 10 p.m.! The displays are timed to music throughout the park!
  Park admission charged

• Lansing, KS
  4th of July Fireworks Show 
  Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. at Kenneth W. Bernard Community Park.
  Free admission

• Lawrence, KS
  Fourth of July Food Festival & Fireworks 
  The Lawrence Originals Restaurants invite you to come celebrate the 4th of July in downtown Lawrence at Watson Park! (Between 6th & 7th and Kentucky & Tennessee Streets) There will be lots of food, live music, children’s activities, and of course… fireworks!
  Free admission

• Leawood, KS
  4th of July Celebration 
  Leawood City Park will be the site for a variety of new and traditional family festivities. Enjoy some great entertainment, participate in games and enjoy a variety of food vendors. Kids’ activities begin at 5 p.m., with musical entertainment at 7:30 and fireworks about 9:45. Click the link above for parking and shuttle information.
  Free admission

• Louisburg, KS
  FreedomFest – “A Bang in the ‘burg” 
  Enjoy the Louisburg fireworks at Lewis-Young Park.
  Free admission

• Olathe, KS
  Fourth of July Fireworks 
  Don’t miss the Olathe fireworks at Great Mall of the Great Plains, Monday at 9:30 p.m.
  Free admission

• Overland Park, KS
  Star Spangled Spectacular 
  Capitol Federal is a proud sponsor of the 4th of July Celebration in Corporate Woods in Overland Park. Activities begin at 4 p.m., with fireworks at 9:30.
  Free admission

• Parkville, MO
  Parkville 4th of July Celebration 
  It’s a long weekend of celebration in historic downtown Parkville. Bring the whole family for a taste of good old-fashioned Americana.  The traditional salute to Independence Day includes a parade, carnival rides, fireworks and more!
  Free admission

• Platte City, MO
  Platte City Family Fun and Fireworks Display 
  Enjoy hot dogs and swimming during the day at the Platte City swimming pool, then a flag ceremony, patriotic band and fireworks at Platte City High School Stadium at night!
  Free admission

• Prairie Village, KS
  VillageFest 
  Capitol Federal is a proud sponsor of the Independence Day fun at VillageFest. It starts with breakfast and includes a bike rodeo, patriotic service, children’s parade, family activities, a petting zoo and pony rides, live music and more. There are no fireworks, but it wraps up at 1:30 p.m., so there’s plenty of time to get to one of the area fireworks displays!
  Free admission

• Salina, KS
  SKYFIRE! Fireworks Display 
  Arrive early to get a good spot to watch the fireworks. They start around 10 p.m. at the Salina Municipal Golf Course. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs.
  Free admission

• Topeka, KS
  Spirit of Kansas Festival 
  Capitol Federal proudly sponsors the annual 4th of July Celebration at Lake Shawnee. Don’t miss the fun – golf tournament, car show, craft show, blues festival, water skiing and finally the grand finale Fireworks Display! Click above to download the brochure.
  Free admission

• Weston, MO
  Jaycees Fireworks Show 
  Bring your blanket and sit on the hillside or sit in the bleachers at the West Platte High School athletic field to be dazzled by one of the most fantastic fireworks shows in the area. There’s also music, food and lots of Independence Day fun.
  Free admission

Festive July 4th Desserts

With the Fourth of July holiday quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about the summer dessert you will serve at your backyard BBQ, picnic or potluck.

For the indulgent:
This Brownie ‘n Berries Dessert Pizza from Betty Crocker is a crowd pleaser.

For the health-conscious:
Check out these Berry Dessert Nachos from Better Homes and Gardens. 

For those with kids:
This July 4^th Poke Cake from Pillsbury is both festive and includes fun gelatin.  Use red and blue flavors for added patriotism. 

For the ambitious:
Follow Martha Stewart’s lead and whip up these cute Summer Berry Pies. 

For the novice chef:
These Patriotic Pops from Familyfun.com are super easy and a delightfully cool treat for the whole family. 

>> These are only a few of the thousands of ideas that exist out there.  What are some other patriotic desserts you like?  Comment by selecting Reply in the top right corner of this post.

Will You Be Pampering Pop?

In honor of Father’s Day this Sunday, our ‘What Do You Think’ Wednesday question deals with Dad.

>> Let’s talk. What are your thoughts on pampering Papa?

Happy National Transportation Week!

It may not be one of the biggies, one of the gift-giving celebrations, but this week, May 15 – 21, is National Transportation Week.

>> Let’s talk. What are some ways you’re saving money to combat rising gas prices?

Fun with Kids: Dye Easter Eggs with Natural Coloring

Easter eggs, in all shades and colors, are meant to bring joy to those who receive them.  Blue ones, red ones, green and yellow; no matter the color, the art of making them that way can be a fun family activity.

A new twist to the age-old egg dyeing activity is to use the natural beauty of fruits, vegetables and spices, instead of using the boxes of chemical colorings.

Here is the preferred method for using natural dyes from chemistry.about.com: 

1. Place the eggs in a single layer in a pan. Add water until the eggs are covered.
2. Add approximately one teaspoon of vinegar.
3. Add the natural dye. Use more dye material for more eggs or for a more intense color.
4. Bring water to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
6. If you are pleased with the color, remove the eggs from the liquid.
7. If you want more intensely colored eggs, temporarily remove the eggs from the liquid. Strain the dye through a coffee filter (unless you want speckled eggs). Cover the eggs with the filtered dye and let them remain in the refrigerator overnight.
8. Naturally-colored eggs will not be glossy, but if you want a shiny appearance you can rub a bit of cooking oil onto the eggs once they are dry.

Dye Ideas:

Pink – beets, raspberries

Yellow – turmeric, green tea, cumin

Orange – carrots

Blue – crushed blueberries, cabbage leaves (boiled)

Green – spinach (boiled)

Red – red onion skins (boiled), pomegranate juice

Purple – purple grape juice

Brown – coffee grounds

These are just a few ideas – nothing is off limits.  Try everything!

>> Have you tried this?  What has worked for you?  Let everyone know by hitting Reply above and leaving your comment.

National Poetry Month

This month marks National Poetry Month, which began as a celebration of poetry by the Academy of American Poets in 1996.  Today it is celebrated by poets, booksellers, librarians, teachers, organizations and poetry enthusiasts every April as a way to bring attention to the art of poetry and extend its place in popular culture.

In honor of this event, we revisit a classic poem by Shel Silverstein:

Where the Sidewalk Ends

There is a place where the sidewalk ends

And before the street begins,

And there the grass grows soft and white,

And there the sun burns crimson bright,

And there the moon-bird rests from his flight

To cool in the peppermint wind.

 

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

And the dark street winds and bends.

Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow

We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And watch where the chalk-white arrows go

To the place where the sidewalk ends.

 

Yes we’ll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And we’ll go where the chalk-white arrows go,

For the children, they mark, and the children, they know

The place where the sidewalk ends.

Want a fun way to celebrate National Poetry Month?  Poets.org gives us, “30 Ways to Celebrate”.

Also, see more poems from their extensive database HERE.
>> What is your favorite poem or who is your favorite poet?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

For each petal on the shamrock

this brings a wish your way –

Good health, good luck and happiness

for today and every day.