Music, hot dogs and face paint mark Fourth of July at Route 66 Stadium
· Yahoo Sports
Despite high heat and blazing sun, hundreds turned out to celebrate America's 250th birthday with the Springfield Cardinals on July 4, 2026. Before the gates opened, local heavy metal band Transylvania kept the crowd's energy up with dancing and music.
As guests filtered in, they were greeted with carnival games like axe throwing as well as a dunk tank that let kids submerge Springfield Cardinals General Manager Dan Reiter. Tracy Pierce, with Touch of Color Body Art, painted faces with patriotic colors and glitter.
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Before the game, the Cardinals hosted their third annual Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. Participants included KOLR 10's Chris Pinson, who won last year's contest, as well as St. Louis food influencer Jay Pippi, local musician Josh Heinrichs and Missouri State University baseball player Michael Yusypchuk. Yusypchuk dethroned Pinson by eating nine hotdogs in 7 minutes. Pinson managed eight.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Music, hot dogs and face paint mark Fourth of July at Route 66 Stadium