Here are some of the Independence Day celebrations that are scheduled. If we missed a celebration, please email it to news@ky3.com ...

Fireworks at the Park at the city's park

• Thursday, July 4

• Vendors open at 2 p.m.

• Free inflatables for the kids 3:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

9 -10 p.m. - Fireworks begin

Bolivar Rotary Club’s 39th annual Celebration of Freedom Community Picnic and Fireworks Extravaganza

• Thursday, July 4

• Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar

Complete schedule:

5:30 p.m. - Music by Moonshot

6:30 p.m. - Tumbles Gymnastics

7:00 p.m. - Music by Moonshot

7:30 p.m. - Program including: a special presentation of colors, Veterans' recognition, Bolivar Community Choir, guest speaker and more

9:20 p.m. - Fireworks begin

Branson Landing’s 11th annual “Liberty Light Up” concert and fireworks

• Wednesday, July 3

• 6 p.m., outdoor concert by Jason Pritchett, along with surprise guest appearances

• 9 p.m., Fireworks

Old Kinderhook Funfest

• Friday, July 5th

• 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Fireworks at dusk

WALDOPALOOZA at the The Clever Barn

• Saturday July 6 starting at 5 p.m.

• $5 entry for ALL ages, no outside food/drink allowed

• Food, drinks, shopping booths, karaoke, lawn games, bonfire, etc.

• Fireworks will begin after 9:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, July 3

• Independence Fair at Crane First Baptist Church

• 7 p.m. to about 10 p.m.

• There will be booths and games for the whole family. Enjoy tasty treats including hog dogs, watermelon, and popsicles.

• Event is FREE. There will also be drawings for prizes.

Edgar Springs, Mo./b> • Thursday, July 4, 11 a.m. • Edgar Springs City PArk • Food, music and fireworks at dusk Eureka Springs • Thursday, July 4 • 10:00 a.m. parade begins along the usual parade route of Spring & Main, and includes a best-dressed dog contest. Everyone is invited to join in the parade. Following the parade is a watermelon seed spitting contest in the parking lot between the Auditorium and the courthouse. At 12:30 pm there’s a hot dog eating contest at Eureka Live (35 N. Main) AND SATURDAY JULY 6th: The celebration continues throughout the weekend with music in the park on Saturday, July 6th. Join us in Basin Spring Park from 5 pm to 7 pm for some lively jazz from Crusade & the Big Hog Band. Then at dusk, fireworks will be shot off from Marble Flats and should be able to be seen all over town. Please add City of Galena's Independence Day Celebration to the list. Galena/b> • Saturday, July 6, 5 p.m. • Galena's Bridge Park • Food, music and fireworks at dusk Hollister 65th annual City of Hollister Fireworks • Thursday, July 4 • 5:30 • Chad Fuqua Memorial Park, 312 Esplanade Drive • Little Miss Firecracker Pageant • Refreshments available for purchase • Bring blanket or lawn chairs • Free Kimberling City Annual Fireburst Celebration • Wednesday July 3 • Missouri 13 bridge over Table Rock Lake • Fireworks at dusk • Free (donations appreciated) Marshfield • Thursday, July 4 • 140th annual Independence Day Parade and Celebration 10 a.m. Monett Freedom and Fireworks • Thursday, July 4 • South Park in Monett • 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. Children’s Carnival and Vendors open • Live music • 9:30 p.m. Fireworks Purdy The Gathering Place • Wednesday. July 3 • 5:30 p.m. • Fireworks at dusk Ridgedale Fourth of July Patriotic Picnic at Big Cedar Lodge • Thursday, July 4 • $20 per vehicle • Patriotic picnic begins at 4:30 p.m. • Games, contests, and more before the fireworks • Fireworks at dusk Rockaway Beach Rockin' Fourth of July • Thursday, July 4 • Fireworks begin at dusk Rockbridge • Thursday, July 4 • 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. • Fireworks begin at dusk Seymour Seymour Off-Road Ranch Bash • Thursday, July 4 • Fireworks begin at dusk Shell Knob Shell Knob Fire and Thunder • Near Shell Knob Bridge • Thursday, July 4 • Fireworks begin at dusk Thayer Thayer Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth of July • Thursday, July 4 • 5 p.m. • Thayer High School football field • Concession stand open to sell food and drinks • Southern Edge band • Skydivers • Fireworks at dusk Warsaw Drake Harbor Experience • July 6 • After dark • Drake Harbor • Fireworks • Free Wheatland Thursday, July 4 Lucas Oil Speedway The fireworks will fire off after the night of racing Wheaton FreedomJam '19 • Thursday, July 4 • Food is available at 6:00 p.m. and live music begins at 6:30 p.m. • Admission is FREE • Fireworks will be at dark • Bring your lawnchair or blanket Message from a Viewer Many of our military men and women come home with PTSD. Hearing fireworks can be a terrible experience for some veterans. It is especially upsetting that, even though it is illegal to shoot them in city limits, people do it for weeks before and after Independence day. Of course this makes these veterans even more on edge for a long period of time, because they come unexpectedly. I would like to see people follow the law and shoot in city limits at the designated time, and to get to know their neighbors and make sure they aren't causing them undue stress. After all, without them, we wouldn't be celebrating. From Missouri Division of Fire Safety Public fireworks shows are safest way to enjoy fireworks JEFFERSON CITY – As Missourians prepare for Fourth of July celebrations, many will be thinking of the thrills that come withfireworks. Few consider that across the nation July 4th is the busiest day of the year for fires; or that almost one-half of those fires are related to fireworks. The Division of Fire Safety reminds Missourians that safety should be the top priority during the July 4th holiday – and that publicfireworks shows are the safest, and provide the most spectacular displays. “We are all excited to celebrate a safe Independence Day with families and friends, and remind Missourians that public fireworksdisplays put on by trained professionals offer the most exciting sights and sounds,” State Fire Marshal J. Tim Bean said. “They are the safest way to enjoy fireworks. Remember, even sparklers and smaller fireworks pose a serious risk of injuring a child and causing a fire. In addition to an increase in medical emergencies caused by fireworks, there are about twice as many fires on July 4th as on an average day. Put safety first on the Fourth.” According to the National Fire Protection Association: • Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and an average of $43 million in direct property damage. • In 2015, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 11,900 people for fireworks related injuries; 51 percent of those injuries were to the extremities and 41 percent were to the head. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 26 percent of the estimated 2015 injuries. • Novelty fireworks like sparklers and fountains can reach temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees, and are responsible for more than one-third of all emergency room fireworks-related injuries. Fireworks sales at licensed seasonal retailers are legal in Missouri from June 20 to July 10. Through June 26, the Division of Fire Safety has licensed 1,349 seasonal retailers. State permits should be displayed at all seasonal retail locations. Missourians who choose to use consumer fireworks should be aware of any local ordinances related to fireworks, and should follow these safety tips: • Always keep you children away from fireworks. If teens are permitted to handle fireworks, they should be closely supervised by an adult. • Only light fireworks one at a time; never try to re-light fireworks that have malfunctioned • Make sure to have a garden hose or a bucket of water nearby in case of a fire. • Dispose of fireworks by soaking them in water and leaving them in a trash can. • Purchase fireworks only from a properly licensed retailer. • Make sure fireworks are legal in your locality before buying them. • Only use fireworks in a large open space that has been cleared of flammable materials. Never shoot them off in a glass container. • Never use fireworks while consuming alcohol. For questions or concerns about firework safety, firework rules, or firework dealers can contact the Division of Fire Safety at (573) 751-2930. DFS wishes you a safe and happy July 4th. From U.S. Forest Service: Forests and fireworks don’t mix It is vitally important that all users are aware that possessing, igniting, discharging or using any kind of fireworks is prohibited on National Forest System (NFS) lands. "Setting off fireworks in a national forest is not only illegal, it is also a hazardous activity that can lead to injury and wildfires," said Kathleen Atkinson, Eastern Regional Forester. "We want folks to come out and enjoy their public lands, but please leave the fireworks at home." Atkinson encourages forest visitors to check with local communities for fireworks displays. The use or possession of fireworks on federal lands is subject to confiscation and fines of up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail. In addition, anyone found responsible for starting a wildfire may be held civilly and criminally liable for the cost of suppressing the fire. The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation’s clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live. For more information, visitwww.fs.fed.us.