Letter from the Mayor: July 2026

July 1, 2026

July has always been one of my favorite months — and I have a feeling that this year’s is going to be something truly special.

This Fourth of July, our nation turns 250 years old. Two and a half centuries of freedom, sacrifice, resilience, and progress. That is worth celebrating with everything we’ve got.

And if there’s one thing Nixa knows how to do, it’s celebrate. Every Fourth of July, something remarkable happens in our city — without any coordination or announcement, neighbors step outside, families gather on front porches, friends pull up lawn chairs, and together we watch the sky light up from every direction. It doesn’t matter what part of Nixa you call home, you’re going to have a front-row seat to an incredible show. That’s just who we are.

But what makes that night so special isn’t really the fireworks — it’s the people watching them together. It’s the laughter of kids staying up past their bedtime, the smell of cookouts still lingering in the air, and the feeling that in this community, we genuinely enjoy each other’s company. We celebrate our freedom not just with sparklers and fireworks, but with exactly the kind of life that freedom makes possible — one lived alongside good neighbors in a community we love.

As we mark America’s 250th birthday this month, I hope you’ll take a moment to reflect on what that milestone means. The freedoms we enjoy were hard-won and are worth honoring. I’m proud to live in the greatest country in the world, and I’m especially proud to call Nixa home within it.

From my family to yours — have a safe, joyful, and unforgettable Fourth of July.

With hometown pride,

Mayor Jarad Giddens