Lyndon will continue its tradition of family fun for celebrating Independence Day this Saturday, July 3, 2021, with an afternoon on the courthouse lawn followed by a patriotic parade.

Lyndon Lions will start off the day serving a hearty breakfast at the Lyndon Community Center. Pancakes, biscuits and gravy, sausage and eggs, coffee, milk, orange juice and tomato juice are on the menu for free will donations, with proceeds benefitting local Lions’ projects. Breakfast will be served 7-9:30 a.m.

Early morning walkers, runners and bikers will want to show up in Jones Park by 7:30 a.m. to register for the Big Boom 5K. The race starts at 8 a.m., and is open to runners, walkers, or kids with decorated bikes; registration fees benefit the Elsie Stout Memorial Scholarship Fund. Contact Lyndon City Hall for more information.

Two contests of skill and talent will be part of this year’s celebration.

First is an Independence Day poster contest for all ages. Posters are to have a patriotic theme, and must be submitted to the Lyndon Carnegie Library by July 1. Poster paper is provided and can be picked up at the library. Categories to be judged include ages 4 and under, 5-9, 10-13; 14 and older. All entries will be on display downtown.

The pie contest will be a hit among its judges and local pie lovers. Judging of the pie baking contest will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday; all entries are due to the Lyndon City Park pavilion by 5:30 p.m. The contest is open to all pie makers, with a limit of one pie per contestant. Any pies that do not require refrigeration are eligible. Pies will be judged on appearance and taste, with prizes awarded for first, second and third places. After the contest, slices of the pies will be offered for free will donations that will benefit Lyndon Pride. Entrants should include the recipe, and name and phone number. For more information, contact the Lyndon Carnegie Library, 785-828-4520.

Saturday afternoon the fun gets underway from 2:30 until parade time. Everyone is invited to the Osage County Courthouse lawn to get in on the fun. Kids can decorate their bikes for the parade, and there will be chalk for sidewalk artists, fun with bubbles, and patriotic face painting. Local firefighters will let kids spray fire hoses at the house fire suppression demonstrator. In addition, a balloon artist will be making free balloon items.

The Lyndon Independence Parade will be the finale of the day’s events, getting underway at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Hosted by Lyndon Pride, the parade will take a different route this year, beginning on West 10th Street, turning south on Topeka Avenue, and continuing to Fifth Street, with music, announcer, and parade judges along the way.

Encouraged parade entries include individuals, businesses, organizations, ATVs or golf carts, kids, marching bands, horses, and others. Cash and prizes will be awarded to winners. Entrants should meet 3:45-4 p.m. on West 10th Street.