17 Places to Celebrate Independence Day

Still working out your Independence Day plans? With a vast array of fireworks displays, parades, live music, fairs and festivals, there's no shortage of activities in the St. Louis area. Here are Independence Day events west of the Mississippi, especially special opportunities in and Pacific.

Eureka Fourth of July Celebration
When: 7 p.m. July 4
Where: Lions Park, 400 Bald Hill Rd.
Entertainment: Hollywood 5 band at 7:30 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:30 p.m.
Activities: Children's activities, 1860s vintage baseball exhibition, car show, concessions

When: July 1 and July 4
Where: 4900 Six Flags Rd.
Fireworks:  9 p.m.
Activities: Regular amusement park rides and Hurricane Harbor offerings, plus third annual Salute to Heroes that provides free admission to military personnel.

Pacific Annual 4th of July Firework's Display
When: July 1
Where: Main City Park, 700 Congress St.
Fireworks:  9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Activities: Beginning at 3 p.m., a walking parade in the City Park will award prizes for the most Patriot Decorated Person, Baby Stroller, Wheelchairs. Vendors' Booths, Patriotic Music. Food and drinks all day. Bounce house, face painting, pony rides, sand art for children. From 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Women’s American Legion Post 320 members will do a tribute to fallen soldiers. This will honor 23 names on the Memorial Wall by Bank of America, including Riley Baker, Brian Woods, and Jeffrey White; roll call of names, National Anthem song and prayer, lighting of candles and ringing the bell.

Chesterfield Fourth of July Event
When: 6 p.m.–10 p.m. July 4
Where: Chesterfield Mall parking lot between Macy’s and Dillard’s
Entertainment: Youth Winners from West County Talent Bash at 6 p.m., Platinum Rock Legends Band at 7:15 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:30 p.m.
Activities: Children’s entertainment, concessions

Ellisville Independence Day Celebration
When: 6 p.m.-11 p.m. July 4
Where: Bluebird Park, 225 Kiefer Creek Rd.
Entertainment: Sh-Boom at 7 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:30 p.m.
Activities: Interactive games, concessions

Manchester July Fourth Party in the Park
When: 6 p.m. July 4
Where: , 359 Old Meramec Station Rd.
Entertainment: Ralph Butler Band at 6 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:15 p.m.
Activities: Concessions available at the pool

Fair Saint Louis
When: noon–10 p.m. July 4, 4-10 p.m. July 6 and noon to 10 p.m. July 7
Where: Gateway Arch grounds
Parade: 10 a.m. July 4 at the corner of Fourth Street and Washington Avenue
Entertainment: Heart at 8 p.m. on July 4, Third Eye Blind at 8 p.m. on July 6 and Dierks Bentley at 8 p.m. on July 7
Fireworks: 9:20 p.m. July, 4, 6 and 7
Activities: Air shows, live music from local and other bands, children’s entertainment, concessions

O’Fallon Heritage & Freedom Fest
When: 5 p.m.–10 p.m. July 2, 5 p.m.–11 p.m. July 3, 9:30 a.m.–10 p.m. July 4
Where: Ozzie Smith’s Sports Complex
Parade: 9:30 a.m. July 4 at the corner of Third and Main Streets
Entertainment: Jamie O’Neal at 6:30 p.m. and David Nail at 8:45 p.m. on July 3, Carolina Liar at 5:45 p.m. and Vertical Horizon at 8 p.m. on July 4
Fireworks: 10:15 p.m. July 3, 9:30 p.m. July 4
Activities: Carnival rides, children’s entertainment, inflatable bounce houses, game booths, concessions

Rockin' on the Landing
When: Noon-11 p.m. July 4,6 and 7
Where: Laclede's Landing
Entertainment: To be announced.
Fireworks: Watch fireworks from Fair St. Louis on the Riverfront. 
Activities: Concessions available from local restaurants

St. Charles Riverfest
When: 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. July 4
Where: Frontier Park
Parade: 10 a.m. July 4 at Blanchette Park
Entertainment: Patt Holt Singers at 12:30 p.m., The Cattani Band at 2:45 p.m., the St. Charles Municipal Band at 4:15 p.m., Charles Glenn at 8 p.m., Fabulous Motown Revue at 8 p.m. and a Charles Glenn encore at 9:45 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:20 p.m. July 4
Activities: Carnival rides, children’s entertainment, concessions

Webster Groves Community Days
When: 11 a.m.–11 p.m. July 1; 5–11 p.m. July 2 and 3; and 10 a.m.–11 p.m. on July 4
Where: Memorial Park at S. Elm Avenue and E. Glendale Road
Parades: Pet parade at 6 p.m. July 1 at Webster Groves Recreation Complex, Community Days parade at 10 a.m. July 4 at Lockwood and Selma
Entertainment: Gentlemen Bandits at 7 p.m. July 1, Rock This Boat at  7 p.m. on July 2, Webstock at 3 p.m. on July 3, Featherstone Drive at 8 p.m. on July 4
Fireworks: 9:45 p.m. July 3 and 4
Activities: Carnival rides, game booths, barbecue, Miss Webster Groves Pageant, rubber duck races

Arnold Fourth of July Celebration
When: 4 p.m. July 4
Where: Arnold City Park at Jeffco Boulevard and Bradley Beach Road
Entertainment: Joe Dirt Band from 7 to 11 p.m.
Fireworks: 9 p.m.
Activities: Concessions

Florissant Fourth of July Festivities
When: 7:30 p.m. July 4
Where: James J. Eagan Center
Entertainment: Northwinds Concert Band at 7:30 p.m.
Fireworks: Following the concert at dusk

Hazelwood Independence Day Celebration
When: Shuttle buses to the park from Hazelwood West High School begin at 7 p.m. July 4
Where: White Birch Park
Fireworks: At dusk

JB Blast
When: 7 p.m. July 3
Where: Jefferson Barracks Park at the Veteran’s Memorial Amphitheater
Entertainment: Music under the stars at 7 p.m.
Fireworks: At dusk
Activities: Concessions

Kirkwood Freedom Festival
When: 7:15 p.m. July 4
Where: Kirkwood Park at the intersection of Adams and Geyer roads
Entertainment: Fanfare at 7 p.m.
Fireworks: At dusk

Wentzville Fourth of July Celebration
When: 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m. July 4
Where: Progress Park, 968 Meyer Rd.
Parade: 10 a.m. on West Pearce Boulevard
Entertainment: Live music at 2 p.m., Smash Band at 6 p.m.
Fireworks: 9:05 p.m.
Activities: Free swimming noon–7 p.m., inflatable bounce houses, clowns, balloon sculpting, concessions

Eureka-Wildwood Patch editor Julie Brown Patton contributed to this article.