Join the Fourth of July Celebration at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. - Fun, the Fourth of July and the Lake of the Ozarks go together like firecrackers, sparklers and Old Glory. With a number of celebratory activities available and a whole host of events scheduled for the three-day holiday weekend, there is no better place than the Lake to join the revolutionary revelry and express your inner patriot.

 

Golfing, boating, restaurants, nightclubs, festive carnivals and the area's many awe-inspiring fireworks displays are only a few of the entertainment options to enjoy at the Lake during Independence Day weekend, so make plans to secure your lodging early at a local resort, hotel, motel, condominum, bed and breakfast, RV Park or campground. Be sure to check out a list of these outstanding properties on funlake.com or call 1-800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).

Fireworks Display at the Lake of the Ozarks

 

Fourth of July weekend festivities get started on July 2 with the city of Eldon's "Independence Day Celebration" at the Eldon Air Park. The celebration packs carnival rides and games, a run/walk race, karaoke and a live musical performance by the Palen/Hill Band (a pop and country act) into one star-spangled Saturday. The fireworks show at twilight is the high point of the evening with a brilliant show synchronized to patriotic music. The carnival merriment continues on the Fourth in Versailles with the city's "Fourth of July Spectacular" at the Versailles Fairgrounds. The fireworks display kicks off at sundown and carnival rides, games and live music are all a part of the all-day Spectacular.

 

If you're looking to get your fill of "oohs" and "ahhs" on the Fourth, look no further than to two of the Lake's premier resorts. The Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark and Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach both have magnificent exhibitions that are well known around the Lake for leaving spectators enchanted annually. Both big shows are set to begin around dusk on the Fourth of July.

 

The Celebration at Celebration Cruises

To crank up your family's pyrotechnic enjoyment a few more notches, book a "Fireworks Cruise" from Celebration Cruises or Tropic Island Cruises. Both boat lines offer a Lake cruise on the most comfortable and luxurious yachts in the area and allow passengers a wonderful on-the-water view of a fantastic fireworks show. Reservations for Celebration Cruises can be made two weeks prior to the Fourth at 573-480-3212. Bookings with Tropic Island are being accepted now at 573-348-0083.

 

Sycamore Creek Golf Club

Golfers looking to enjoy a four-person scramble and a fish fry on the Fourth can do both at the 34th Annual Catfish Classic at Sycamore Creek Golf Club in Osage Beach. The tournament starts at 9 a.m. Registration is $75 per person and includes a catfish dinner and a tee gift. The tournament is limited to only 36 teams and fills up fast, so call Sycamore Creek at 573-348-9593 to reserve a spot for your team.

 

For more information about lodging, dining, shopping, events and attractions throughout the Lake area on the Fourth of July, contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau's web site, funlake.com.

Check out some more upcoming fun and exciting events around Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks:

• July 16 ... AquaPalooza, Lake of the Ozarks- MarineMax and Sea Ray Boats invite all boaters to join them for a great day of fun with music, prizes and plenty of activities. For more information, call 573-365-5382 or visit the event online at Aquapalooza.com.

• Aug. 5-6 ... 19th Annual Laurie Hillbilly BBQ Cook Off Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, this popular event offers over $7,000 in prize money and bragging rights for the best BBQ around.  A dance, beer garden, prizes, raffles and an ever-popular kids' BBQ contest are on the Cook-Off schedule. Take in some of the great aromas and taste some of the delicious BBQ at the Fairgrounds in Laurie, Mo. For more information on the Hillbilly BBQ Cook-off, contact Susann Huff at 573-374-8776 or visit CityofLaurie.com or email at Events@CityofLaurie.com.

• Aug. 6 ... 18th Annual Missouri Wine Festival
  Local and regional wineries show off the bottled fruits of their labor to wine aficionados at the Country Club Hotel & Spa in Lake Ozark. Admission to the Wine Fest is $15 and includes a wine tasting from the participating wineries, hors d'oeuvres and a souvenir wine glass. Wines are available for purchase by the bottle or the case. For more information on the Missouri Wine Fest, call 573-964-1008 or the Country Club Hotel & Spa at 800-964-6698.

• Aug. 22-28 ... 23rd Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout
  Named one of the nation's eight must-see boating events by Powerboat magazine, the Shoot-Out is the largest unsanctioned boat competition in the U.S., as more than 100 boats individually race to be named the Lake's fastest boat. This will be the fourth year Captain Ron's (a restaurant, bar and marina in Sunrise Beach) will host the event. For more information, call 573-374-5852 or visit LakeOfTheOzarksShootout.org.

For more information about these and other Lake-area summertime events or for more info about local accommodations and lodging facilities, please call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit FunLake.com.

# # #

Summer is the season of exciting travel stories at the Lake of the Ozarks.  For more information, media assistance or high-resolution photos, please call The Beenders-Walker Group toll-free at 800-544-8474 or email Marjorie, Jo, Gene or Kyle. 

LAKE OF THE OZARKS TRI-COUNTY LODGING ASSOCIATION & CONVENTION AND VISITOR BUREAU

Phone: 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) Fax: 573-348-4292 

P.O. Box 1498  Osage Beach, MO 65065

Website: www.FunLake.com  Email: Info@FunLake.com