By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Independence Day is a favorite time for many to celebrate the nation and spend time with family. Fireworks displays are a popular way to do it. At Wednesday's meeting, the Barton County Commission approved 5-0 a July 3 fireworks display at Encounter Church on the western edge of Great Bend.
"Rather than doing it on July 4, because last year we discovered that competes with families, and families rule here in Great Bend as it should be," said Pastor Dwight Dozier. "We want to come together as a church family and open it up to the public to join us this Sunday night."
This will be the third year the church has put on the display. This year's festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. on July 3, with inflatables for kids, a cornhole tournament, and lots of food. Freddy's will deliver frozen custard to all present at 9 p.m., just before the fireworks display begins at dark.
"We discovered we had a young man in our congregation who is very gifted at this," Dozier said. "He came to us. He sets them to music and does an impressive fireworks display."
The city of Great Bend will also hold its annual fireworks show July 3 at approximately 9:45 p.m. at the SRCA dragstrip. Great Bend Fire Department Deputy Chief Brent Smith said the church's proximity to the dragstrip, as well as recent precipitation, helps alleviate some of the fire department's concerns.
"Two large displays could tax the fire department and the personnel we have," said Smith. "We're confident we can do it."
Private fireworks regulations remain in place despite the holiday falling on a Monday this year. Inside Great Bend city limits, fireworks may be discharged only on July 4 between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight. Those hours are extended to 8 a.m. to midnight in unincorporated areas of Barton County.