On Monday, we will celebrate the most American day of the year: Independence Day. Families all over Missouri will be barbequing with friends and neighbors, towns around the Third District will be holding parades, and some incredible fireworks shows will get going once the sun goes down. Here in the Third District, we’re fortunate to be surrounded by people who really know how to celebrate American independence.

Love for this country will be on full display all over the Third District this weekend. In St. Charles, the annual Riverfest begins on Saturday, the second with food, drinks, a carnival, activities for the kids and live music. On the Fourth of July, organizations, clubs, businesses, and individuals from across our area will parade down historic Main Street showing their pride in one of the most classic American Fourth of July fashions there is.

In Jefferson City, the annual “Salute to America” will start this Sunday, the third with a carnival, games, inflatable park, and the Little Mr. and Miss Independence contest for children 4-6. Later in the afternoon, there will be music, food and the Red, White and Bloom parade. And on Monday, the Fourth there will of course be no shortage of patriotic events to attend. There will be a Route 66 Car Cruise where you can see classic American cars drive down Broadway and all sorts of entertainment on the Madison Street Stage throughout the day. And the fireworks that evening are not to be missed! Our state capital really does Missouri proud with this celebration every year that showcases how proud Missourians are to be Americans.

While there are countless patriotic activities to participate in this weekend, I do know that this will be one of the most expensive Independence Days in memory. The lemonade, the hamburger buns, the ground beef, the potato salad – not to mention the gas you need to get to the store – all cost more right now due to inflation. According to the American Farm Bureau, Americans across the nation will be spending 17% more on their Fourth of July festivities than in 2021. Missourians shouldn’t have to bear this burden, and it feels extremely un-American for bad policies to make this one of the most expensive Fourths in history. I will continue pushing back on harmful energy policies and reckless spending in Washington so America can get back to feeling more like America -- where store shelves are stocked, parents have access to baby food, and families can afford both cleats for their kids and the gas to get to the ballpark.

The Fourth of July is one of the most feel-good days of the year for America. On Capitol Hill – especially in the last few years – politics often gets in the way of the fact that we’re all American and we all play for the same team. Independence Day celebrations and the displays of national pride across our country are wonderful reminders of the fact that we’re proud to be Americans. I wish you a safe and patriotic Fourth of July!