What You Should Know: 2026 Independence Day Celebration at Miola Lake

Get ready to celebrate a massive milestone for America! The Paola Chamber of Commerce and Xfinity are bringing you the 250th Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 3rd at Miola Lake. Festivities kick off at 5:00 PM, and the free fireworks display begins at dusk (estimated between 9:30 PM & 9:45 PM).

Here is everything you need to know to navigate the event smoothly and safely:

1. Bigger Blast & Brand New Attractions

500+ More Shells: We’ve massively upgraded our display this year. Yeah, we're about to have a literal blast!
Live Music & Entertainment: Catch Live DJ - DJ Gem spinning tracks to keep the energy high.
Free Family Fun: The Paola Recreation Commission is hosting activities from 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM, including inflatables, cornhole, sand volleyball, ladder golf, and spikeball. (Note: The competitive Sand Volleyball Tournament starts earlier at 1:00 PM; sign up at PaolaRec.com).
Food Truck & Vendor Fair (5:00 PM – 10:00 PM): Come hungry! We have a fantastic lineup of local vendors:
- Kruse Creations
- Pretzelly Food Truck
- Bullcreek BBQ
- KC Deeyas
- Mac Daddy’s Food Truck
- JD’s Mean Muggin’ Coffee
- Mimi’s Kitchen
- JCB's Bubbly Sips - Dirty Sodas
- Bill Todd’s Fresh Squeezed Lemonade Stand
- Bread’s & Blessing by Ashley
- VanMeter Innovations - 3D Printing

2. Parking & Navigation

Entrance: All event traffic must enter at Hedge Ln & 299th.
Parking: Head to Park on the Hill, located just north of the Swimming Beach. Look for the First Option Bank Tent to guide you.
Event Area: Everything is centered just east of the Swimming Beach near the main stage.

3. Road & Trail Closures (4:30 PM – 10:00 PM)

To ensure everyone's safety during this major milestone event, we have implemented stricter traffic controls and an additional road closure this year:

Road Closures include: * 299th & Victory
- 299th & E Lake Miola Drive
- 299th @ Paola Dog Park
Trail Closure: The trail close to the fireworks blast site will be strictly closed off. While this has been standard in previous years, we are enforcing it much more seriously this year for public safety.

Donations are accepted at the gate via cash or Venmo. For questions, contact the Chamber at 913-294-4335 or visit paolachamber.org.

Important Notice for Boaters: Designated Fireworks Zones

If you plan to watch the spectacular 250th celebration from the water, please be aware of strict safety boundaries enforced during the show.

By approximately 9:30 PM, all watercraft on Miola Lake must be positioned within one of the two designated red boat zones:

The North Zone: Located in the northern arm of the lake, running parallel to Miola Rd.
The West Zone: Located in the western cove off W Lake Miola Dr.

The main body of the lake surrounding the swimming beach and eastern shores must remain entirely clear of watercraft to establish a safe fallout perimeter for our largest fireworks show yet. Please consult the official Boat Zone Map prior to launching, and plan your position early!