KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -
Fireworks lit up the night sky over downtown Kansas City on Sunday night.
It was all for Celebration at the Station, one of the largest Memorial Day weekend events in the Midwest.
The Kansas City Symphony was extraordinary and they really set the tone for thousands of families out to reflect on what the holiday really means.
"The music is really good, and it is relaxing," concert-goer Mary Rueschhoff said.
The beautiful music definitely inspired some future conductors and musicians.
"I like the violins and how they play them," Paul Carter said.
For Anna Rueschoff she likes to see the musicians up close, and for Marcy Barkley this was the perfect way to spend quality time with her parents.
"We came just because we enjoy being together as a family and tradition is important," Barkley said.
With the historic Union Station as the backdrop, this was the 10th year for this free concert. Eight-four full-time musicians with the Kansas City Symphony got to share their talent Sunday night with nearly 50,000 people.
And Nelda Pypes says she has been to all 10 concerts.
"Oh, I love the music, I really do. That is really special," Pypes said.
Randy Adkins says on the special night he was thinking about his brother who has been in the Marines for 21 years now and just returned home after completing his 4th tour in Afghanistan.
"He is over there fighting for what we believe in the U.S. Freedom of speech allowed to do all of this ... say what we feel and celebrate the United States," Adkins said.
Patricia Fraction and her husband, Ron, love sharing this experience with family and friends.
"It is just wonderful to be out here, the crowd and weather are beautiful," Patricia Fraction said.
Fraction says while many families will be enjoying pools and picnics this weekend, she hopes each family takes time out to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
"It just kind of gets you right here, in your heart. Just makes you think of how blessed we are to be in this country and that we have freedom, allowed to come out here and be here with all these other people ... so thankful and so very blessed," Fraction said.
Liberty Memorial will be a busy place Monday as well. A Memorial Day ceremony starts at 9:15 a.m. with pre-ceremony music. The Color Guard parade begins at 9:30 a.m. and the ceremony will take place at 10 a.m.
The World War I Museum will open right after the ceremony.
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