Storm damage cancels Salute to America concert, but parade and fireworks move forward
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Salute to America concert scheduled for Saturday night in downtown Jefferson City was canceled after storms damaged the event stage, according to organizers.
Salute to America spokeswoman Taylor Wolz said severe weather caused damage to the stage, making it unsafe to continue with the concert.
Despite the cancellation, the rest of the evening's festivities continued as planned.
Dangerous heat prompted Jefferson City officials to move the city's Fourth of July opening ceremony indoors Saturday, as much of Mid-Missouri remained under an extreme heat warning.
The opening ceremony had originally been planned for the north side of the Missouri State Capitol, but organizers decided to relocate the event indoors to protect attendees from the heat.
According to a Salute to America Facebook post earlier this week, the 10 a.m. ceremony will honor Missouri veterans and include a performance by the 135th Army Band.
The National Weather Service warned that multiple communities across Mid-Missouri could see heat index values as high as 105 degrees. Forecasters said the combination of high temperatures and humidity significantly increased the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for people spending extended periods outdoors.
The National Weather Service encouraged residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
"We were gonna do outside because of the river and all the beauty," Vice Chair of America 250 Missouri Commission Pat Thomas said. "But as we looked at the heat, we just wanted to make sure that we were more than safe and keeping people comfortable."
To help people beat the heat, the city made cooling stations, water refill locations and shaded areas available throughout downtown.
Jefferson City Mayor Ron Fitzwater said public safety was the city's top priority while people gathered downtown for the Independence Day celebration.
"There's a lot of shade downtown," Fitzwater said. "It'll be a bit spotty because we anticipate large crowds. But stay hydrated, try to find a place to sit."
Other events will be taking place throughout the day, both downtown and on the Capitol lawn:
- Coca-Cola Food Court - 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the corner of Jefferson and E High Street
- Ameren Marketplace - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on East High Street
- Avenues of History - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Madison Street and the Southeast Lawn
- Missouri Farm Bureau's Kid Zone - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Broadway Street
- Stars, Stripes and Surprises Scavenger Hunt - Noon to 5 p.m. Check-in on E High Street
- Remembering Missouri's Fallen - Noon to 5 p.m. in the Selinger Center
- Socket Classic Cars Cruise - Noon to 5 p.m. North side of the Capitol
- 135th Army Band performance - 2 p.m. in St. Peter's Church
- Beer Garden - 5 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. on E High Street
- Red, White and Boom Fireworks - 9:45 p.m. North side of the Capitol
Yard games and historical reenactors will also be around the festival area. Cooling stations are located on Broadway Street and E High Street. Water refill stations are also on W Capitol Ave.
Restrooms will be located on Broadway Street, E High Street and Madison Street.
The Main stage is located on the Capitol steps and will feature concert performances and festival announcements.
A parade and military flyover are set for 6 p.m. The parade will move through E Miller Street, Jefferson Street, E High Street, Monroe Street and E McCarty Street.
According to a press release from the Jefferson City Police Department, roads near the Capitol grounds and around the festival will be blocked off from 5 a.m. on July 4 to 2 a.m. on July 5. JCPD reminds drivers to be mindful of pedestrians in the area and plan for extra travel time.
Fitzwater said all roads will be back open Saturday night after the fireworks show.
The extreme heat warning is in effect until 8 p.m..
