Celebrations Planned Elsewhere

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By Bobbi Mlynar (Contact)

Originally published 01:03 p.m., June 24, 2008
Updated 01:03 p.m., June 24, 2008

Emporia will be surrounded by fireworks displays during the holiday weekend, though it will have no formally sponsored display of its own.

“The City of Emporia dropped it from their budget, so the closest one’s going to be Lebo, and I think that I’ll be shootin’ that one,” said Bernie Toso, certified pyrotechnician and member of the Optimist Club that co-sponsored the annual holiday display.

Toso has been the shooter for the displays the past several years.

The July 4th celebration developed by the Optimists included live bands, food vendors and activities for youngsters before the nighttime display.

Even though Emporia won’t have a public display, other towns and counties will.

The “Osage County Fireworks Festival” is a county-wide event scheduled to begin with youth activities and a craft show from 4 to 6 p.m. at Eisenhower State Park at Melvern Lake. The festival will be held on Saturday, July 5.

Other activities at Eisenhower include a moon walk, duck pond, bean-bag toss, watermelon race, balloon toss, tie-dying T-shirts, frog and turtle races and more.

A band, Big Woody, will perform from 6 p.m. to dark, when the fireworks display will begin. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce; smoked pork and brisket will be served by Rosemont Farms, and polish sausage, brats, chips, beverages and funnel cakes will be available.

No personal fireworks will be allowed in the park.

At least four Coffey County towns — Burlington, New Strawn, Lebo, and Gridley — have planned celebrations.

Gridley’s festivities, “Discovering Energy — Our Fate,” will start with a biscuits and gravy breakfast served between 7 and 9 a.m. The meal will be prepared and served by parents of the senior class. Parents of the sophomore class will sell water, pop, and Gatorade beginning at 9 a.m., and a German dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the community building.

Other activities and events scheduled are:

One-mile fun run, 7:30 a.m.; youth fishing derby, 16 and under, 7 to 9 a.m. at Mitch Williamson’s pond, $1 entry fee; 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., bow shoot, Gridley City Lake, $8 entry fee; arts and crafts booths beginning at 8 a.m.; “2 on 2” basketball, 8 a.m.; flea market beginning at 8:30 a.m.; horseshoe pitch, 9 a.m.; rides with Gary Hoops Carnival, 9 a.m.; kids’ games, 9:30 a.m., Jones City Park; Cactus Shack food booth, 9:30 until evening, Jones Park; music and fun, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jones Park; children’s carnival, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Jones Park, sponsored by the Class of 2009; miniature horse rides, Trembly Tiny Trails, 11 a.m.; skating exhibition, 2:30 p.m., Jones Park; auto and cycle show awards, 3 p.m.; children’s money hunt, ages 3 to 12, 3:30 p.m.; kids’ spray-down, 4 to 4:30 p.m., Gridley Fire Department; Background Barbeque sampling and talent show, 4 p.m.; home-made ice cream sponsored by the Skateboard Committee, 5 p.m.; Controlled Insanity Motorcycles, 6 p.m.; parade, 7 p.m., beginning at the corner of Third and Henley; backseat driving, 8:15 p.m., teams of 2, $5 entry fee; fireworks at dusk.

People who want more information about competing in the Backyard Barbeque may call Greg Bashaw, 836-5448; David Schneider, 836-2060; or Lynn Osburn, 836-2411.

For information about other activities call Jeanne Haas, coordinator, at 364-5893.

Public displays also are scheduled at dark in Kelley Park in Burlington and the city park in New Strawn.

Other communities in the area may be planning celebrations that will be announced later.