Anita Campbell
County Reporter
The area will present many opportunities to celebrate the birth of our nation at many events being hosted in and around Benton County.
There will be plenty to do in Lincoln on Saturday, July 1, at the Lincoln 4th of July Celebration.
At 8:00 AM, registration for the baby contest will open and at 9:00 AM that competition will get underway at the shelter house.
Then at 10:00 AM, the Lincoln 4th of July parade will begin down Main Street. A bounce house will also open at 10:00 AM, followed by barrel train rides at 11:00 AM.
Registration for the 3 vs. 3 basketball tournament will begin at 10:30 AM and teams will hit the court at 11:00 AM.
From 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM, registrants can enter their names for the 3rd Annual Best of Benton County Arm Wrestling Tournament and that event will get underway at 1:00 PM.
At 2:00 PM, it's the Pet Parade and Costume Contest sponsored by Heavenly Pets at the Lake.
The teen cornhole tournament will take place from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM and the adults cornhole tournament will throw from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM. All proceeds from cornhole will benefit the LHS volleyball team.
At 6:00 PM, the beer garden will open and Midnight with Brandon Ward will take the stage first. They'll be followed by Cedar Creek. The beer garden will be open until 12:00 AM.
Throughout the day, many vendors will be on hand with food, drinks and sweet treats, including Balke-Q BBQ, 32 Below Snow Cones, Boba Tea, A Bushel & A Peck and much more!
Also on the evening of July 1, it's the Drake Harbor Fireworks Experience in Warsaw, hosted by the City of Warsaw.
That display will go off at dusk and should be able to be viewed from Drake Harbor and other downtown areas including M.K. White Park, levees and trails.
Meals, snacks, drinks and other goodies will be available at many downtown establishments.
On Sunday, July 2, Osage Bluff Marina will host their annual fireworks show. The first shot will go up at dusk. The fireworks at Osage Bluff have quickly become one of the areas largest and most attended shows on Truman Lake.
Cody's Bait and Tackle will set off their fireworks display on Sunday, July 3. That display is viewable from town, as well as many areas on the west side of the Osage River. Everyone is welcome to their location at 31046 Cold Springs Ave in Warsaw at 6:00 PM for free food. There will also be bounce houses and other activities for the kids.
The American Legion Post #217 in Warsaw will begin their 4th of July celebration at 5:00 PM on Tuesday at the hall with The Treble Makers band. The Hibachi Ice Cream Company will be hand and drinks will be available in the lounge.
The flag retirement ceremony will be held at dark with the fireworks display to follow.
American Legion Post #217 is located at 32739 Wildcat Drive just south of Warsaw.
On Tuesday, July 4, it's also back to Lincoln for their fireworks show beginning at dusk. That display can be viewed from your favorite spot in town, including public parks.
S&B Kettlecorn will be at the Big Lincoln Park with funnel cakes and other goodies for sale.
Kaysinger Bluff Pioneer Heritage Association will host a variety of activities during the July 4th weekend in the village near the Harry S. Truman Visitor Center.
The Kaysinger General Store will be open on Saturday and Monday from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM and on Sunday from 12:00 PM until 3:00 PM.
On Saturday, July 1, Dennis Clark will be displaying his scrimshaw art while Diana Burdick will be doing rug twining. On Sunday, July 2, the store keepers will be reciting tales of shopping in the late 1800’s while Dennis Clark continues his scrimshaw artistry.
On Monday, July 3, Long’s Family Homestead will be featuring everything from sweet treats to lye soap. Diana Clarke will be displaying chair caning; Diana Burdick will be doing wagon wheel weaving and Dennis Clark will continue his scrimshaw art.
The fireworks displays will continue next weekend when Rick's Oar House hosts their annual show on Saturday, July 8. By land, they are located at the end of Hwy BB at 25842 Old Oar House Road, Warsaw, or by water, make the stop at the 81 mile marker.
