Kansas City celebrates Fourth of July big at Stars and Stripes Picnic

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One of the largest Fourth of July celebrations wrapped up Thursday night at Liberty Memorial.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. Among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Those famous words from the Declaration of Independence rang out 248 years ago, still have meaning to Americans today.

“It’s important for us to understand what was going on at the time of our countries founding and how it applies to our country today,” said Heath Wessling.

Wessling is reading the text in its entirety at the Stars and Stripes Picnic. He said it’s a tradition that’s been lost through the years.

“For a long time after our countries founding it was custom to read it every Fourth of July,” he said.

The picnic held on the lawn of the World War I Memorial also featured live music and some great food.

Jamion and his friends got to their spot at 2:30 p.m. Thursday. He’s looking forward to the fireworks on an amazing backdrop.

“I think we got a pretty good spot. I think it’s going to be pretty iconic, some pictures looking pretty patriotic you know what I’m saying,” he said.

And some people are taking patriotism to the next level.

“I’ve been running around with the flag chanting USA, USA, USA!” one person said.

It’s that same patriotic spirit that Wessling says is only found here in the states.

“United States of America is the most unique country that ever existed, and it can’t really be defined in a simple way. The closest thing in definition probably is the spirit that has resonated through the Declaration of Independence.”

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