A Calendar Full of Events in Emporia to Celebrate America’s 250th Year of Freedom!

The countdown to the July 4th holiday weekend has begun, and Emporia plans on celebrating America’s 250th year of independence and freedom with a variety of events that the whole family can enjoy. 

Glass Blown Open Players Party + Food Truck Festival

Emporia is excited to welcome disc golf fans from across the country for Glass Blown Open.

This professional-amateur A-Tier disc tourney reigns supreme as one of the sport’s most iconic events. And you don’t want to miss out on an evening of unforgettable fun during the Player’s Party and Food Truck Fest hosted by Emporia Main Street on Saturday.

Mouthwatering food, live music, refreshing beer, and all the excitement from the disc golf tournament… There’s so much to enjoy for not only the players, but all of our families, spectators, and locals!

📅When: Saturday, June 27
📍Where: 600 & 700 Blocks of Commercial Street
⏰Time: 6 pm - 9 pm

53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl & Shriners Parade

The beloved Kansas Shrine Bowl is back!

This can’t miss, East vs. West football game will benefit Shriners Children’s. To date, the Kansas Shrine Bowl has donated over $3 million to Shriners Hospitals for Children!

Join us for the main event as well as the parade, which is the largest annual Shrine parade in Kansas. You don’t want to miss this spectacular lineup of local marching bands playing a score of toe-tapping tunes, a full lineup of our all-star football players, Shrine units in full regalia and more.

Be sure to come out early and grab a spot on Commercial Street and get ready to enjoy a full morning of community spirit! 

Parade
📅When: Saturday, June 27
📍Where: Downtown Emporia
⏰Time: 10 am
View parade route and other information by clicking here. 

Football Game
📅When: Saturday, June 27
📍Where: Welch Stadium
⏰Time: Gates open at 5 pm, pregame festivities are at 6:20 pm and kickoff is at 7 pm
Click here to purchase tickets and to check out the gameday parking map. 

Fourth of July Celebration

As America celebrates its 250th year of freedom, Emporia will be saluting the red, white, and blue with a community concert and spectacular fireworks display on the Emporia State University campus.

Emporia Marching Band will kick things off with a spirited concert before the fireworks show later in the evening.

You’re welcome to spread out a blanket on Jones Field, view the show from the west side stands of Welch Stadium, or settle into the ESU practice fields on the north end of the campus. 

Fun Facts About America’s Most Iconic Symbols

Ever wonder why red, white, and blue were chosen as the colors of the American flag? Do you know how long it took Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence?

Here’s some fun trivia that puts the spotlight on the most iconic symbols of the American spirit.  

The American Flag

Did you know that each color on the American flag has a meaning?

• Red symbolizes valor and bravery
• White symbolizes purity and innocence
• Blue symbolizes justice, perseverance, and vigilance
• Or that the last star added to the American flag was on July 4, 1960 when Hawaii was officially declared a state?

The National Anthem

The “Star Spangled Banner” actually began as a poem called “Defence of Fort M’Henry.”

Written by poet Francis Scott Key, his inspiration was piqued after seeing soldiers raise a large American flag at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland to celebrate their victory over British forces during the War of 1812. 

The Declaration of Independence

This famous proclamation announced that the American colonies were officially separating from British rule. Thomas Jefferson, who is credited as the principal author, got the document drafted in just 17 days. 

The Bald Eagle

Not all of our founding fathers were enamored with the idea of designating the bald eagle as the Great Seal of the United States.

Apparently, Benjamin Franklin was less than impressed with this iconic symbol of freedom, strength, and courage. In a letter to his daughter, he argued that the eagle was a bird of “bad moral character” thanks to its habit of scavenging.

So, which bird represented his number one pick? The Wild Turkey. A far more respectable native bird, in his humble opinion.