Annual Fourth of July event expands, changes name to Party in the Parks

Four-year-old Kodi Burdette, Kansas City, Kan., reaches high as she is engulfed in a sea of bubbles coming from a machine during Party in the Park 2014 on Friday, July 4 at Watson Park.

Those perusing local events calendars recently may have noticed a subtle change to a Fourth of July tradition.

For the first time in the event’s seven-year history, the annual Fourth of July Party in the Park will be spread across both Watson and Constant parks, hence a new name: Party in the Parks.

If you go

What: Fourth of July Party in the Parks

Where: Watson Park and Constant Park in downtown Lawrence

When: The party begins at 4 p.m. Saturday. At 9:15 p.m., attendees can cross Sixth Street over to Constant Park to watch the Lawrence Jaycees’ fireworks display beginning around 9:45 p.m.

Cost: Admission is free. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

The Fourth of July Party in the Parks will feature food vendors, live music and theater performances in Watson Park. The party will continue after 9:15 p.m. at neighboring Constant Park, where attendees can catch the annual fireworks display at 9:45 p.m.

In years past, attendees of the annual Fourth of July extravaganza would cross the street from Watson Park to Constant Park shortly after 9 p.m. or so in order to stake out territory for the Lawrence Jaycees’ fireworks display, which traditionally shoots off from behind Johnny’s Tavern in North Lawrence.

“It’s hard to see the fireworks at Watson Park, so everybody goes to Constant Park anyway,” says Briarcliff Media Holdings CEO Jay Wachs, who has been involved in the planning of Party in the Park for four years. “We thought, ‘Why not go with them?'”

Briarcliff Media Holdings is the parent company of LawrenceHits.com, which organizes the event. This year’s party kicks off at 4 p.m. Saturday at Watson Park, where attendees can enjoy live entertainment, food from local eateries and children’s activities.

In years past, the event has attracted around 25,000 people to Watson Park. With a little help from a tentatively pleasant weather forecast, Wachs hopes to meet that goal — or surpass it — this Saturday.

“Every year, (the event’s) grown in terms of attendees and the bands and activities,” he says. “People seem to really enjoy themselves.”

Among the musical lineup: local bands Evan Epperson and the Aviators, 88er, Duncan and the Ministry, Pink Royal, and Barry Barnes and Friends. Theatrical performances and martial arts demonstrations are scheduled to entertain between sets.

About a dozen restaurants a part of to the Lawrence Originals dining collective — including 23rd Street Brewery, Zen Zero, India Palace, Mariscos, Mad Greek and Johnny’s Tavern West — will be on hand with food and drinks, and kids and adults alike can keep busy with activities scattered throughout Watson Park.

In the park’s gazebo, Wachs and his team will be selling T-shirts and raffle tickets to benefit Light the Night 2015, an annual walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Northeast Kansas.

At 9:15 p.m., Wachs says, everyone is encouraged to migrate over to Constant Park to set up lawn chairs and blankets for the fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. Prerecorded music will accompany the display over loud speakers.

“This is the kind of town where, when you go to an event like this, you tell everybody. It’s the camaraderie of celebrating with your friends, family, coworkers and neighbors,” Wachs says. “It’s great to be local.”