Independence Day festivities set to boom

Ash Grove, Republic celebrate 150 years in existence, Willard to host 59th Freedom Fest
 
The Republic, Ash Grove and Willard communities will celebrate Independence Day this weekend with their traditional festivals. Republic will hold their Have-A-Blast celebration on Friday, June 25, at J.R. Martin Park, while Willard will hold Freedom Fest on Saturday, June 26, at Jackson Street Park. Finally, Ash Grove will hold a two-day celebration on Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27 at Ash Grove City Park.
Republic’s Have-A-Blast
Republic’s Have-A-Blast returns with many of the attractions that were absent from last year’s celebration due to the pandemic. The Kids Zone is back, and includes a petting zoo, inflatable buildings, face painting by the Republic High School FFA and balloon art.
“In 2020, several changes were made including a rescheduled event date, an overhaul to the site map, and removal of some of the most popular attractions,” said Jennafer Mayfield, Republic’s assistant Parks and Recreation director/interim public information officer. “However, we are back and better than ever in 2021.  We are excited to have the Kids Zone featuring inflatables, carnival games, and petting zoo by the Republic FFA back in 2021, as we know this was missed by all in 2020.”  
Vendors will also be there; for the hungry, 23 food vendors will be serving a variety of favorites, including pulled pork sandwiches, corn dogs, kettle corn, cold drinks, funnel cakes and more. If you would like to support a good cause, there will also be a dozen non-profit vendors on hand, including the Republic Tiger Pride Band, the Republic Pregnancy Resource Center and the Republic Historical Society. Live music will be provided by Members Only, and the evening will end with a pyromusical fireworks display that promises to be unique.
This year, Have-A-Blast celebrates two significant milestones for the city.
“The 2021 Have-A-Blast Patriotic Celebration will celebrate not only the 25th year of the event, but the 150th anniversary of the city of Republic,” Mayfield said. “We’ve invested a significant amount in the pyromusical fireworks display making it the largest fireworks show in 25 years. We are encouraging everyone to come to J.R. Martin Park to view the show in person for an incredible experience.”
Volunteers are needed to help with the event; those who volunteer will get a parking pass for the volunteers parking area, free food and a limited edition “Have a Blast” T-shirt. Anyone interested in helping out should contact Karsen Forbis, Operations Coordinator, at 732-3500 or send an e-mail to kforbis@republicmo.com.
Have-A-Blast runs from 6-10:15 p.m., and is free to attend; vendors and some activities require a fee. The event is alcohol free, and large umbrellas and canopies are not permitted so as not to obstruct the view of others. For more information, go online to www.republicmo.com, and check the Special Events tab under the Parks and Recreation page.
Willard’s Freedom Fest, Saturday
Willard’s 59th annual Freedom Fest will be an all-day event, beginning with the traditional community breakfast at 7 a.m. The day will be packed with activities, including the community breakfast that will benefit the Hive, and bounce houses that will raise money for a fund to build an inclusive playground in Willard. Additionally, there will be a parade, live music, a car show and after dark, fireworks.
Samantha Mails, Willard’s special events coordinator, said this year, there will be two acts performing live music.
“We’ve got Chronicle, which is a Creedence Clearwater Revival cover band, (they’re) the headliners,” she said. “The band that will play before them, they’re called the Breakfast Sides, and it’s kind of a bluegrass duo. They’re super talented, (and) we’re super excited about having two bands this year.”
Mails said there is also a new feature to Freedom Fest, a watermelon eating contest for kids, which will be held at the stage.
“(The kids) can win $50 savings bonds,” she said.
Throughout the day, Mails said, people will also have a chance to visit several vendors’ booths.
“We have nearly 100 vendors, (including) crafts, retail, informational, (and) tons of food,” she said. “There’s a good chance that your favorite food truck will be there.”
Mails said that this year, she expects Freedom Fest to be “bigger than ever,” following the pandemic.
“Everybody’s ready to get outside and get some fresh air,” she said. “There’s not going to be a frowning face in the place. Everybody’s so happy to get back together. Willard and the surrounding small towns are a really close community, and I think everybody really misses getting together and celebrating something. It’s a very patriotic community, and everybody’s excited to celebrate the country like we should. We all miss it.”
Volunteers are needed to work in two-hour shifts during the celebration, in roles such as shuttle drivers, bounce house supervisors, tea and water booth attendants, and others. For those interested, a link to a volunteering form can be found on the Willard Parks Department Facebook page. Volunteers will receive free-onsite parking all day in exchange for their time.
For more information about Freedom Fest, go online to www.willardfreedomfest.com, or call Mails at (417)742-5385.
Ash Grove’s Sparks in the Park
Sparks in the Park, which is being organized by the Ash Grove Historic Town Committee (HTC), will be a two-day celebration and in addition to Independence Day, will celebrate Ash Grove’s 150 years as a city.
The celebration begins at 7 a.m. Saturday with a 5K hosted by the Masonic Lodge.
Throughout the day will be Nathan and Olive Boone homestead hikes, which will take visitors through the history of the homestead at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
At 7 p.m., will be Dancing Under the Stars, English line dancing in the park, presented by Bishop Davidson.
The main celebration will take place on Sunday, with a community breakfast at 9 a.m. in the park, followed by a worship service at 10 a.m. Afterwards, there will be vendors, bounce houses, waterslides and more.
At 5:15 p.m., Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe will be speaking, followed by a performance Irish Dancers girls group and live music by N2DEEP. The day will end with fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
To register for the 5k, go online to www.actnowracing.com. More information on the 5k is available by sending an e-mail to paul_wilkerson2000@yahoo.com.