Ozarks communities plan Independence Day celebrations
Several area communities will mark Independence Day with fireworks, food, parades, games and family friendly activities beginning Friday, June 26, and continuing through Saturday, July 4.
Friday, June 26
AVA, Mo. — Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center will host its 40th annual Fourth of July Celebration on Friday, June 26, beginning at 6 p.m. at 2004 Crestview Drive in Ava.
The annual event is known as one of the largest fireworks displays in Douglas County, drawing families from across the area for an evening of food, entertainment, activities and community celebration. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at dark.
The celebration will include dessert, crafts, kids’ games and activities, cotton candy, color guard, bingo called by Copeland, music, hamburgers and hot dogs, funnel cakes, local vendors, inflatable activities, a dunking booth, car show and free parking. Fishing will also be available at the Crystal Lake Fishery Trout Pond.
A large silent auction will also be held during the event.
The Mr. and Miss Firecracker Pageant will be held earlier that evening at 4:30 p.m. at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center. Children ages 3 to 5, 7 to 10 and 11 to 13 may participate. No baby pageant will be held.
Pageant participants are encouraged to wear firecracker or patriotic themed outfits, with comfortable shoes and no hoop skirts or unsafe accessories. Contestants should be able to walk across the stage, answer a public question and show personality and confidence. Awards will include Mr. Firecracker, Miss Firecracker and first runner-up.
Entertainment for the evening will be provided by Buster Clifton Davis. A gun raffle will also be held for a His and Hers Glock 43X 9mm set, with the drawing planned the night of the fireworks.
Shuttle service will be available to and from the former Old Murphy’s Station parking lot, now Fleaology, located at 1904 S. Jefferson St. in Ava, at the bottom of the hill from the healthcare center.
Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and spend the evening enjoying family friendly fun, music, food and fireworks.
The rain date for the celebration is July 17.
Saturday, June 27
MANSFIELD, Mo. — Mansfield will host a day of Fourth of July themed activities, food, games and fireworks during its Celebration of Freedom event Saturday, June 27.
The day will begin with Rookie T-Ball at 9 a.m., followed by T-Ball games at 9:45 and 10:30 a.m. A fish fry lunch is scheduled for 11 a.m., and the Mr. and Mrs. Firecracker event will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Afternoon activities will include bounce houses, food trucks, games and music beginning at 3 p.m.
The Celebration of Freedom Parade will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Lineup will be at the Mansfield High School parking lot, 316 W. Ohio St. in Mansfield. Those interested in participating in the parade may RSVP through the Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce.
The pool will remain open until 8 p.m. for the celebration. A Tessa Brooke coed softball game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The evening will conclude with fireworks and a movie at dark.
The event is billed as a day of fun, family and freedom, with food, activities and entertainment planned for all ages.
Sunday, June 28
AVA, Mo. — Highway Church of the Nazarene will host a family friendly celebration Sunday, June 28, in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
The event will begin at 7 p.m. and will include food, fellowship and activities for the whole family. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served during the evening.
A fireworks display is planned for 9:15 p.m.
Organizers invite the community to attend and enjoy an evening of food, friends and celebration. The event is open to everyone.
Saturday, July 4
GAINESVILLE, Mo. — Gainesville will celebrate Independence Day with Fireworks Over the Square on Saturday, July 4.
The fireworks display, hosted by the Ozark County Chamber of Commerce, will be set off at dark. Spectators may watch from the square in Gainesville or from the rodeo grounds at the Gainesville Saddle Club Arena.
The Gainesville Rodeo will also be held July 4 and 5 at the Gainesville Saddle Club Arena. Rodeo events are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. each night.
Organizers thanked the sponsors who helped make the event possible, including headline sponsors Century Bank of the Ozarks, Southern Construction Inc., Shelter Insurance, Douglas Hawkins Agency LLC, Gainesville Masonic Lodge, Katrina Amyx CPA LLC, Ozark County Times and The Antler Package & Pizza.
Supporting sponsors include Gainesville Saddle Club, Gainesville Lions Club, Town & Country Supermarket, Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Lee Pipkins and Travis Smith.
