Columbia gears up for Independence Day celebration

Columbia’s Fire in The Sky celebration kicks off Saturday night downtown.

The night begins at 6:30 with children’s activities and live entertainment at Flat Branch Park.

There will also be an entertainment stage at Peace Park from 6:30 through 9:00 p.m.

The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:15 from the 6th and Cherry parking garage.

There will be free parking through the district, MU campus, and any city or university owned lots and parking garages.

Exceptions include the streets around the 6th and Cherry garage, including 5th, 6th, Cherry, and Locust, which will close at 7:00 p.m. There will be no parking on these streets after 5:00 p.m.

Locust will close at Providence Rd., and Elm will be closed from 6th to 8th St., and 7th will be closed from Locust to Elm beginning at 1:00 p.m.