Platte City’s Parks and Recreation Department will host its annual Independence Day festivities on Friday, starting with five hours of free admission to the city pool from noon to 5 p.m. There will also be complimentary hot dogs and drinks. The annual fireworks display starts at 9:45 p.m. at Platte County High School. Fireworks in downtown Parkville begin at the same time, one of the biggest events for four days worth of the city’s Fourth of July celebration, themed as “American Dreams.” Jim McCall serves as grand marshall for this year’s parade down Main Street, which starts at 10 a.m. Friday. A 1975 graduate of Park Hill High School and veteran of the U.S. Navy, McCall spent many years in his family’s restaurant business but now works as a financial representative for COUNTRY Financial with an office in the Parkville Commons shopping center. In addition, he has spent time on the Main Street Parkville Association as an officer and currently holds the title of vice president for the Parkville Area Chamber of Commerce. Parkville’s celebration starts and concludes with a carnival running from 6 to 10 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The carnival runs from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday. There will also be music from the Parkville Symphonic Band ahead of an appearance from the Falcon Sky Diving Team and fireworks display on Friday night. All events scheduled are weather permitting.

The Platte County Citizen