Variety of Independence Day events lined up

From volleyball to fireworks, a variety of activities will be offered through the Fourth of July weekend for area residents looking for ways to celebrate the holiday.

The Fort Scott Recreation Commission is sponsoring several activities scheduled to take place Saturday at Gunn Park, including a mud volleyball tournament, a kids' fishing derby, and a 5K walk or run. Monday's activities include the annual Burke Street Parade and a nighttime fireworks display organized by Elks Lodge No. 579.

The 7th annual 5K Sam's Walk or Run will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at Shelter House No. 3 in Gunn Park. The race will follow a route that begins and ends close to the shelter house and follows paved roads through the park. Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age group and to the top male and female overall race finisher. The race is open to people of all ages.

A 6-on-6 mud volleyball tournament, open to people of high school age and older, is set to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. T-shirts will be awarded to the first-place team. A fishing derby for area youth 12 years of age and younger will also begin at 9 a.m. at the first lake in Gunn Park.

For more information on events sponsored by the FSRC, contact Buck Run at (620) 223-0386.

"It's an invitation to the community to take part in one of the things we're offering for Fourth of July ... to enjoy the holiday locally," FSRC Director Tom Robertson said.

The Burke Street Parade, an annual tradition for 30 years, is set to begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the corner of 10th and Burke streets. The parade follows a route south to Marblecrest Drive, then north on Horton Street to Marblecrest Terrace, then west to Marblecrest Terrace back to Burke Street where it will end at the home of Merl and Margaret Humphrey, 1024 S. Burke St.

Participants and parade watchers can then socialize and enjoy refreshments at the Humphreys' home.

The parade normally features marchers, bikes and strollers, decorated dogs, a horse and tractor, costumed characters, motorcycles, cars, synchronized lawnmower teams, and other unusual entries. Participants are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to celebrate the patriotic holiday.

Attendees may participate in the parade or watch from the yards of Burke Street residents. Local resident Phil Hammons will kick off the parade by leading the group in the singing of patriotic music.

Margaret Humphrey, event co-organizer, said donations of cookies will be accepted from anyone in the community for the event. The parade will only be canceled in the event of torrential rain or severe weather. The public is welcome to watch or participate in the procession.

Elks member Bill Brittain said the lodge has sponsored the community fireworks display since the mid-1990s, "but it takes the whole community to raise the funds."

"We order fireworks and coordinate it, but it's a community event," he said.

Brittain said the lodge raises much of the money to conduct the display through its annual golf tournament "so the players help as well as hole sponsors." Funds are also received from individuals, the city and county and various local businesses.

"It takes a lot of people to put it together," he said.

The display is set to begin about 9:30 p.m. Monday.

Many community members celebrate the holiday by watching the fireworks display at picnics, cookouts and other gatherings, Brittain said.

"They enjoy the fireworks and it's a nice way to celebrate our country's independence," he said.