Topeka-area residents will have options to celebrate Fourth of July. Here's what we found

Tim Hrenchir, Topeka Capital-Journal
·4 min read

Hot dogs, music, fireworks and parades will once again highlight Independence Day this year in Topeka.

But less traditional Fourth of July forms of entertainment — including turtle races, a home decorating contest and a golf tournament — will also be part of this community's public observances of that distinctly American holiday.

Conditions will likely be firecracker hot, as the National Weather Service predicts Tuesday will bring Topeka a high temperature near 98 degrees accompanied by mostly sunny skies and a 20% chance of rain.

Where will Topeka's biggest fireworks show be?

Topeka's biggest Fourth of July fireworks show will light up the sky beginning at 10 p.m. as part of the annual Spirit of Kansas celebration at Lake Shawnee. It is being sponsored by Capitol Federal.

The music played to accompany the display will be simulcast on KMAJ-FM 107.7, said Mike McLaughlin, communications and public information supervisor for Shawnee County Parks and Recreation.

Where will the parades be?

Neighborhood children ride festive bicycles during a Fourth of July parade held in 2018 in Topeka's Potwin community.
Neighborhood children ride festive bicycles during a Fourth of July parade held in 2018 in Topeka's Potwin community.

• Topeka's annual College Hill Independence Day celebration was first held more than 30 years ago. Participants in this year's version will line up starting at 9:30 a.m. at Boswell Square Park, 1300 S.W. Jewell Ave., where a parade will begin at 10 a.m. It will be followed by games and prizes until 12:30 p.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church will provide hot dogs, chips and drinks. Turtle races will start at 11:30 a.m. There will also be a home decorating contest.

• Participants in the annual Potwin Place Parade will line up beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the 1500 block of S.W. 3rd. The parade will begin at 10 a.m.

• Participants in the 52nd annual Collins Park 4th of July Parade will line up no later than 10:45 a.m. on the west side of the street at S.W. 15th and Collins Avenue. The parade will start at 11 a.m.

Spirit of Kansas has it all

Shawnee County Parks and Recreation put out this map showing the directions traffic will be allowed to go on roads surrounding Lake Shawnee during Tuesday's annual Spirit of Kansas event.
Shawnee County Parks and Recreation put out this map showing the directions traffic will be allowed to go on roads surrounding Lake Shawnee during Tuesday's annual Spirit of Kansas event.

McLaughlin said in a news release that this year's Spirit of Kansas events at Lake Shawnee will feature the following:

• A car show in the area of shelter houses 4 and 5 near Reynolds Lodge, 3315 S.E. Tinman Circle. Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with the show starting at 9 a.m.

• Spirit of Kansas golf tournaments beginning at 10 a.m. at Lake Shawnee Golf Course, 4141 S.E. East Edge Road, and Cypress Ridge Golf Course. 2533 S.W. Urish Road.

• The playing of the national anthem and posting of the U.S. flag by a color guard at 10:30 a.m. near the site of the car show at Lake Shawnee.

• An appearance by a Native American spirit dancer at 10:45 a.m. on the stage behind Reynolds Lodge.

• The presence of food and craft vendors from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. near Reynolds Lodge.

Classic cars were displayed during the 2020 Spirit of Kansas celebration at Lake Shawnee, where a similar car show will be on Tuesday.
Classic cars were displayed during the 2020 Spirit of Kansas celebration at Lake Shawnee, where a similar car show will be on Tuesday.

• The Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival, which the Topeka Blues Society will put on from 11:15 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the same area where the other festivities will take place.

• A water skiing show being held from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. on the lake by the Shawnee Boat and Ski Club.

Who's playing in the Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival?

Performers in the Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival will be the following:

• Mark Montgomery from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m.

• Stranded in the City from noon to 1 p.m.

• Tas Cru from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m.

More: Here's where to buy Fourth of July fireworks this year in Topeka and Shawnee County

• Erin Coburn from 2:45 to 4 p.m.

• Hadden Sayers from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m.

• GeminiiDragon from 6 to 7:15 p.m.

• Chris "Bad News" Barnes and the BluesBallers from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

• The Josh Vowell Band, which is making its third appearance in the Spirit of Kansas festival, from 9 to 10 p.m.

What other big fireworks shows will take place in this area?

A large fireworks show is set to take place at 10 p.m. Tuesday at Wamego, about 45 miles west/northwest of Topeka.

It will be preceded by a 6 p.m. parade along Main Street in Wamego, said the visitwamego website.

Entertainment will be provided before and after the fireworks show by the classic rock band Pott County Posse, that site said.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Fireworks at Lake Shawnee, parades, music and more planned for July 4