Thursday, July 3

• Liberty Fest | 6-10:30 p.m. | Capitol Federal Sports Complex, Liberty | $10 | Enjoy cold brews, live music, and fireworks to close out the night.
• The Bonner Blast | 5-10 p.m. | Centennial Park, Bonner Springs, KS | Free | Pack a picnic and catch a City Band concert before the fireworks begin.
• Red, White & Blue Springs | 5 p.m. | Blue Springs South High School + Young Park | Free | Expect three entertainment zones for kids, adults, and families, plus food trucks and fireworks.

Friday, July 4

• Celebration in the Park | 6-10 p.m. | Leawood City Park, Leawood, KS | Free | Sure, it has all of the holiday staples, but we’re interested in a few unique attractions... like the mechanical bull rides.
• Freedom Fling | 1-5 p.m. | Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center, Shawnee, KS | $6-$10 | Cool off with water slides, games, and prizes — bring canned goods for half-off entry.
• Parkville 4th of July Celebration | 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m. | Downtown Parkville | Free | Kick off with pancakes + parade, and stick around for a night’s sparkling show.
• Stars and Stripes Picnic | 3 p.m. | National WWI Museum and Memorial | Free | Can it get more patriotic than laying out in the Heartland under Liberty Memorial Tower to catch the city’s biggest fireworks show?
• Star Spangled Spectacular | 5 p.m. | Corporate Woods Founders’ Park, Overland Park, KS | Free | Bring blankets + your crew for live tunes and food before the holiday finale lights up the sky — plus, parking is free all day.

• Hambingo Charity Night | Thursday, June 29 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Hamburger Mary’s, 3700 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO | $10 | Participate in this Bingo night benefiting Special Olympics Kansas.

• Summer Concert Series | Friday, June 30-Saturday, Sept. 2 | 7-9 p.m. | Ward Parkway Center, 8600 Ward Pkwy., Kansas City, MO | Free | Check out local artists ranging from jazz and classic rock to Irish and indie.

• Polly’s Pop Festival | Saturday, July 1 | 4-10 p.m. | Independence Square, 106 S. Liberty, Independence, MO | Free | Enjoy popsicles, pop music, pop culture, and all things pop at this festival.
• Movie Night on The Lawn | Saturday, July 1 | 7-9 p.m. | The Lawn at Legends Outlets, 1865 Village W. Pkwy., Kansas City, KS | $0+ | Watch “National Treasure” under the stars.

• Pawtriotic Pet Parade | Sunday, July 2 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lenexa Public Market, 8750 Penrose Ln., Lenexa, KS | Free | Enjoy this family + pet-friendly Independence Day celebration while shopping local vendors.

• It’s electric. The City of KCMO announced 23 new electric vehicle charging stations — a pilot project demonstrating + testing the benefits of curbside charging. See the map of stations around the KC metro.

• The University of Kansas Cancer Center accepted a historic $100 million donation from the Sunderland Foundation (plus $43 million in federal funds) to build a state-of-the-art facility to advance research + treatment of cancer. The first phase is anticipated to begin by fall 2024.

• Kansas City Current midfielder Debinha officially secured a spot on the Brazil 2023 FIFA World Cup roster. This is her second World Cup team placement + she currently leads the KC Current in goals scored.

• Stay cool. The City of Independence, MO activated a cooling site at the Roger T. Sermon Community Center (201 N. Dodgion St.). The site is open today and tomorrow, June 30. Check the hours.

• Did someone say free coffee? Yes, we did. Central Park in Zona Rosa is hosting a Coffee Club every Thursday, now through Thursday, Aug. 17 from 9 to 11 a.m. Plus, there are various special performers and activities on select dates.

• Better late than never. A couple from Overland Park, Tim and Melinda O’Brien, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at the downtown Marriot Hotel — with a voucher from 1983. The hotel honored the $38 per night rate stated on the original certificate. (KCTV5)

• With 40+ years of industry expertise, Sleep Outfitters can give you the life-changing sleep you deserve. Stop by their brand-new Tiffany Springs and Lee’s Summit locations for the best names in sleep (think: Sealy, Tempur-Pedic and Stearns and Foster), plus the chance to enter to win the Snoozestakes —and the $10,000 grand prize.*

• Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (okay, actually three words) is a single radiation treatment given at the time of lumpectomy, following tumor removal. This innovative surgical procedure allows patients to avoid conventional breast radiation therapy, typically requiring daily treatments for up to six weeks.*

• Meet the only probiotic Halle Berry will take. It’s created by scientists and optimizes metabolism to support a healthy weight. Use code 6AMCITY for 20% off your first month.*

• On a water bottle hunt? Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling insulated bottle is the Owala FreeSip — it’s thoughtfully designed, leak proof, and keeps drinks cold.*

Opening day

Welcome home

Fast facts

• Vine Street contributes to 1% of Black-owned breweries in the US.
• This building has not been in use since 1978.
• The downstairs + outdoor space will soon host local artists, live music, and private events.