Jackson Independence Day Celebration plans set

The city of Jackson will host a family-friendly, day-long celebration on the Fourth of July and will bring back several activities begun last year to help mark the city's bicentennial, said parks and recreation director Shane West Anderson.

The parks and recreation department revealed its schedule for the celebration in a news release sent Friday.

Activities will be from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Jackson City Park. Admission to the park is free; participation in some events will require an entry fee to support community fundraising causes or fireworks shows.

Food stands, pony rides, children's train rides and an inflatable bounce house will open at 10 a.m. A fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. will cap the day's activities.

Opening/starting times for events are listed below. More information is available by calling the parks and recreation department at 204-8848 or visiting jacksonmo.org.

* 7 a.m.: Independence Day 5K Walk/Run and Children's Fun Run, benefits cancer programs and children's health and wellness at SoutheastHEALTH

* 8 a.m.: Mud Volleyball, a co-ed, double-elimination mud volleyball tournament

* 8:30 a.m.: Helicopter rides, $35 per person, men's softball field No. 2

* 9 a.m.: Car show, features 150 cars, ends at 3 p.m.

* 9 a.m.: Jackson Elks Beer Garden, tickets and ID required, closes at 7 p.m.

* 10 a.m.: Little Miss and Mister Firecracker Pageant, pageant for infants to teens

* 11 a.m.: Rubber duck races on Hubble Creek

* 4 p.m.: Helicopter Golf Ball Drop fundraising event

* 7 p.m.: Pat Schwent and Saxy Jazz live music performance at the band shell, ends at 8 p.m.

* 8 p.m.: Jackson Municipal band live music performance at the band shell, ends at 9:30 p.m.

* 9:30 p.m.: Fireworks display

Attendees can spend the day strolling through the park, sampling food and experiencing a variety of entertainment, according to the release.

The municipal pool at the park also will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. July 4. Areas in and around the park, including Parkview Street between North High Street and North Union Avenue, will be closed to vehicle traffic.