Fourth of July Celebration in Junction City

Sundown Salute in Junction City, Kansas is advertised as the LargestFreeIndependence Day Celebration in the State of Kansas. This week long July 4^th Celebration starting on Friday June 27^th and ending on Sunday July 6^th has many FREE family activities. The entire downtown area to include the Heritage Park with it's bandstand, decorative fountain, Vietnam Memorial, Law Enforcement Memorial and the Historic Civil War Arch are transformed into a playground with events aimed at all individuals from all walks of life.

Llewelyn's Carnival

No Fourth of July Celebration would be complete without a carnival. Llewelyn's Carnival complete, with kiddy ride's, a Ferris wheel and many of the other faster stomach churning rides together with "games of skill" booths opens for business at 6PM on June 28^th. The carnival continues to open each day from June 28^th through July 6th, some evenings a $20.00 wristband price will get you on as many rides as you can handle from 6-10PM. If you are a member of the Armed Forces buy your wristbands on Wed. July 2^nd for $15.00 with a Military ID. Special carnival opening hours are: Tuesday, July 1^st at 1:00 PM; Thursday, July 3^rd at 5:00 PM and Friday, July 4^th at 11:00 AM. All other days the carnival opens at 6PM. Come and win your sweetheart that big teddy bear or ride the Ferris wheel to the top and look out over all of the 4^th of July festivities.

Extreme Canine's

The Perondi's Extreme Canines Show returns again this year. Don't miss this FREE family oriented stunt dog show. The Canine's are amazing, the trainer's are amazing, the stunts are amazing too!! Watch your children ohh and ahh at the fabulous stunts these wonderful canines perform starting on Kid's Day on July 3^rd, 2008 at 10AM and 2PM. If you miss these talented pooches on Thursday you'll have another chance to be amazed by there "poochtacular" performances on July 4^th at 1:30 or at one of the many other scheduled performance times.

Kid's Day

The theme for Thursday July 3^rd during this wonderful Independence Day celebration is Kid's Day. Don't miss many of the fun and free activities planned that are geared towards the younger family members. They'll have fun at the Kid Zone, laughing at the comedy and magic of Terry Elton, learning about baboons during the Wild about Monkeys show and more. There's even a backyard Circus and Parade. Children ages 6-12 can attend the special Spin City Kid's Night from 5-11PM for only $1.00. Junction City's Spin City is a wonderful recreational facility complete with roller skating rink, arcade, dance floor and movie theater. Kid's Day will culminate with a fireworks display at 10PM. A pre-extravaganza event just to wet the appetite for the big 4^th of July Fireworks Extravaganza set to go off at 10PM on Friday, the 4^th of July.

The Parade

The big 4^th of July Independence Day Parade is set to start at 10AM. This 11 block parade traveling 6^th Street from Eisenhower to Franklin St. is one of the biggest events of the year. Many travel from afar to take part in the Sundown Salute Independence Day Parade. Locally decorated floats will compete for prize money donated by Sundown Salute sponsors. You'll enjoy clowns, classic cars, Harley Riders, High School Bands, The Junction City Fort Riley Shriner's Club, The Fort Riley Mounted Guard, JROTC and much more. Bring the whole family and plenty of empty pockets for all the goodies that will be thrown out for the kids.

All Day Everyday Events

Hedrick's Petting Zoo is one of the most popular events among the children. This free petting zoo is fun for all ages with many different types of animals. Be sure to bring quarters for the animal feed...

Sandscapes Sand Sculpture is an amazing display. Watch as this creative and talented artist creates a masterpiece before your very eyes. Stop by at different times to watch the masterpiece appear from nothing more than framework, water and sand...

Water Wars is a fun and easy way to cool off. Many will get sprayed just by standing by and watching. Don't be surprised to find the Mayor or Chief of Police battling it out at the Waters War display. Both the young and the young at heart will enjoy this cool and refreshing booth. There is a nominal fee for the balloons at this booth...
Crafts and Food Vendors Like all great 4^th of July celebrations the Sundown Salute has many craft and food vendors on hand for your food and shopping needs. Many vendors come from other states to participate in the Junction City Independence Day Sundown Salute Celebration. Although these things are not free you are sure to find food or gift items within your price range.

Band, Bands and more Bands

The Junction City Independence Day Sundown Salute Celebration takes pride in presenting a diverse array of live bands for the crowd's entertainment. Each evening another band will perform at the main stage on the street on the North side of Heritage Park between Jefferson and Washington Streets. Some of the bands scheduled to perform this year are: The Military Band, Credence Clearwater Revisited, Starship starring Mickey Thomas, Separate Ways: The Next Best Thing To Journey, Cowboy Crush, Draw the Line: The Aerosmith Tribute Band, J.C. & Live Version, Aaron Shust and a Street Dance with Outlaw Junkies. And it's all free folks! Free Rock, Free Country, Free Gospel, Free, Free, Free! Bring your lawn chairs and your sandals and come on out for a great time with music and dancing in the park.

Resources:

http://www.sundownsalute.org/

http://www.jcks.com/recreation/facilities/spincity.html

http://www.sundownsalute.org/events/2008/waterwars.html

http://www.sundownsalute.org/events/2008/parade.html