In the 240 years since America declared its independence a lot has changed in the nature of political campaigns.

People who ran for public office in the late 18th century couldn’t imagine radio or television ads, let alone email, Facebook or Twitter.

But there are a few things that haven’t changed, and one of those is the time-honored tradition of showing up at town festivals, marching or riding in Independence Day parades and town festivals and celebrating America’s history and democracy.

In Lawrence this year, the community party is being held at Burcham Park, on the banks of the Kansas River, just off South Powerhouse Road. And Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, said she wouldn’t miss it.

“Because it’s a political day, it’s a great opportunity to be involved in something,” she said. “If a community is having an event, it’s good to show that you want to be part of that community and involved in what they’re doing.”

About 70 miles to the west on U.S. Highway 24 is the town of Wamego, home to one of the biggest, and oldest, Fourth of July parades in Kansas.

“This will be our 145th year,” said Kara Holle of the Wamego Convention and Visitors Bureau, and coordinator of this year’s parade. “We do have quite a few political candidates in the parade. “A lot of elected officials, or dignitaries. And candidates as well.”

Because of its proximity to Fort Riley, the Wamego parade typically draws a big military audience, and parade entries from the 1st Infantry Division Band.

Rep. Ron Highland, a Wamego Republican, says he takes part in as many as 10 parades each summer in his district, but the Wamego parade on Independence Day is the one that can’t be missed.

“This is the big one,” he said, noting there may be as many as 60,000 people lining the street for the parade, in a town of fewer than 5,000 residents.

Highland quietly admits that parades themselves are not his favorite part of campaigning.

“Number one, it’s very hot,” he said. “Whenever there’s a parade, it seems like the temperature always goes up”

“What I do like is, when the parade is over, you visit folks you haven’t seen in a while and hear what they have to say. That’s the best part of it,” he said. “It is important.

U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Topeka, also shared memories of walking in the Wamego parade when she was campaigning as State Treasurer.

“Probably one of my most memorable ones, it was pouring down rain,” she said. “But the show must go on, so I threw away the umbrella and just walked because that wasn’t going to keep you from getting drenched anyway. Only in America.”

People who attend the parade tell you they want to see you there, and you’re obligated to go.”

Campaigning on Independence Day is a classically American tradition, one that combines patriotism, celebrating the founding of an independent government, and active political campaigning for seats in that government.

And it’s particularly big in Kansas where, in even-numbered years, the July 4th celebrations come just a month before the August primaries, and only two weeks before the start of advance voting.

One of the other major parades taking place this weekend is in Lenexa, in Johnson County, which parade organizer Charlie Rensing said is a major political event.

“We have 25 entries that are either candidates or elected officials,” he said. “That doesn’t count city council people.”

He said this year’s list includes U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder; U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, who is up for re-election this year; state Sen. Greg Smith; Kansas Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer; and Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

But Rensing said he’s not sure how much impact the parades have on voters themselves.

” It’s obviously a big publicity opportunity for those candidates,” he said. “The spectators, I don’t think it does a whole lot for the people viewing the parade. They don’t have creative floats, just a car, or walking and waving. The average citizen is pretty jaded by politics. But it is what it is, and we let everyone in.”

But in Wamego, Holle expressed a different view, especially during an election year.

“It calls a little bit more attention to free government in Wamego and the leaders of our country, which is important,” she said. “People don’t think about that much in non-election years. It’s about our freedoms, our right to vote and all of that.”