Gladstone's Freedom Fest set to be biggest celebration in city history for America's 250th birthday

GLADSTONE, Mo. — KSHB 41 reporter Marlon Martinez covers Platte and Clay counties in Missouri. Share your story idea with Marlon.

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Gladstone is going all out for this year's Freedom Fest, and city leaders say it could be the biggest celebration the city has ever seen — all in honor of America's 250th birthday.

The free event at Happy Rock Park kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday and is open to everyone.

Gladstone Mayor Pro Tem Spencer Davis said the event is meant to give the community a place to come together.

"We want to be able to have a place where they can kind of come to if they don't have anywhere to go," Davis said. "If they're wondering what's going to happen ... we're kind of going to show an event where it's an old school type of block party."

Steve Silvestri

Attendees can expect food, activities and musical performances, including headliner Eddie Montgomery, followed by a fireworks display to close out the night.

"It's part of what we do in Gladstone. We really care for our residents, and we really want it to be a good experience for them," said Mayor Jean Moore. "So, it means a lot to us that they would support this event as they support all the events that we do in Gladstone."

Steve Silvestri

With extreme temperatures in the forecast for Saturday, city leaders say they are prepared to keep attendees safe in the heat.

The city has safety measures in place.

Steve Silvestri

“We're hoping that the weather is going to be perfect, so we're going to pray for that. We've got to be prepared for those type of instances," Davis said. "We're going to have misting stations all around, so people can have access to kind of cool down. I know that we also have some tents to be able to get under and get out of the sun and get in the shade."

The event will culminate the night with a fireworks display.

"The biggest and best fireworks that we've ever had, that will follow Eddie Montgomery's presentation. So lots of noise, lots of color, lots of spectacular," Moore said.

More details on the event can be found here.

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