The annual Salute to America Festival drew thousands to downtown Jefferson City on Saturday, enjoying the break in rain for Independence Day celebrations.
The two-day festival featured carnival rides, games, vendors, live music and many other attractions throughout downtown Jefferson City, all leading up to the annual fireworks display Saturday night.
Brandy Williams said the festival is a great backdrop to an annual family get-together. Williams said she travels from Webster City, Iowa, each year to come to Jefferson City, both to visit her grandmother and attend the event. Williams said other members of her family come in from Osage Beach and they all attend Salute together, before heading to the Lake of the Ozarks to finish the holiday.
"We come every year," Williams said. "It has a lot of opportunities."
As she held her niece and watched the pony rides on Madison Street, Williams said attending Salute to America is a nice family tradition she loves to continue.
Janet Franke, of West Plains, said this was her first year of the festival and she loved it. Franke said she came to town with a friend who was visiting family, not knowing of the annual Salute to America event. When she arrived, she said, they saw fliers and decided to check it out.
"I didn't realize that all of this was going on," Franke said as she watched a stunt show at the Extreme Sports Arena at the intersection of High and Monroe streets.
Franke said she was enjoying every aspect of the festival, adding she couldn't believe how many people she met coming from all over the country to celebrate July 4 at the Missouri Capitol.
"The fact that they do this free for families is great," Franke said.
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