America 250 – Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration hosted by Explore West Plains

Join Explore West Plains from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 4, on the campus of Missouri State University–West Plains, centered around the Bell Tower area. The free, family-friendly event will feature a non-motorized parade, kids’ activities, food trucks, and music.

At 10:15 a.m., the mayor will offer a welcome, followed by a patriotic sing-a-long and a performance by the Ozark AcousChicks Women’s A Cappella Chorus..

Parade lineup begins at 11 a.m. on Franklin Avenue near Broadway, with the parade stepping off at 11:30 a.m. The route will travel west on Cass to Pennsylvania, south on Pennsylvania, west on Webster to Franklin, then continue on Franklin back to the lineup area. The shorter route is designed to accommodate all ages and abilities.

Participants are encouraged to embrace the spirit of a traditional small-town Fourth of July with creative, non-motorized entries such as decorated wagons, bicycles, tricycles, scooters, strollers, wheelchairs, pull carts, and walking groups. Patriotic and America 250 themes are encouraged, especially handmade decorations.

For safety, children should be supervised by an adult, participants should remain with their entries, and pets must be leashed. Organizers ask that participants avoid fireworks, unsafe props, and throwing candy, with handing out treats preferred instead. Cars, trucks, ATVs, motorcycles, golf carts, and other motorized vehicles will not be permitted, though accessibility mobility devices are welcome.

Only family-friendly, non-political entries will be accepted as organizers hope to create a celebration centered on patriotism, creativity, and community spirit.

Families, churches, civic groups, veterans and veterans’ groups, scout troops, sports teams, and individuals are all encouraged to participate.

Make plans to join us!