Independence Day in The Flint Hills

Woo hoo! Happy 4th of July! We can all say Independence Day is a great time to enjoy a long fun-filled weekend with friends & family full of burgers & hot dogs on the grill, beer, sunshine, music & of course lots of fireworks. Let freedom ring!

Let’s take a look at some of the best places to watch fireworks, buy fireworks & most importantly tips on how to stay safe this 4th. 

Firework Shows

Local Celebrations

Recipes 

Firework Stand Map

Saftey Tips

Firework Discharge

Firework Shows

Wamego

Junction City

Randolph

Local Celebrations

Celebrate Freedom in Wamego

If you are all about the fireworks on the fourth...look no further! Wamego has the #1 ranked firework show in Kansas! The fireworks start at 10pm, but be sure to see what the whole day has to offer at https://www.boomtownusa.com/

Freedom Fest Junction City 

Junction city is hosting four fun filled days of Independence Day activities! You won't want to miss the carnival, parade, or the Firework Extravaganza Show! Check it all out at https://www.freedomfestjc.com/schedule.cfm

Randolph Independence Day Celebration

Randolph is celebrating the fourth with just about everything you could think of. From softball and cornhole tournaments, to hot air ballon rides, to fireworks! Check out the full schedule at http://www.randolphks.com/schedule.html

Recipes 

Elsa's Frozen Banana Pops

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 3 bananas 
• 1 package of chocolate melting wafers (10 oz)
• Popcicle sticks 
• Red white & blue sprinkles

Directions

Cut peeled banans in half

Place popcicle sticks at one end of each banana half then freeze for one hour

After bananas have frozen, warm chocolate wafers until melted and stir until smooth

Dip bananas into chocolate 

Immediatly roll chocolate covered bananas into sprinkles

Serve immediatly and enjoy or freeze until ready to eat.

Kendall's Firecracker Popcorn 

Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1 bag of microwave popcorn light or regular butter (full sized, not snack)
• ½ cup red chocolate candy melts
• ½ cup royal blue chocolate candy melts
• 1 cup white chocolate candy melts
• Red white & blue sprinkles
• Red cinnamon candy 5 oz. box Hot Tamales or Red Hots

Directions

Pop the popcorn and remove the unpopped kernels. Divide into two bowls.

Place the candy melts in small bowls or glass measuring cups, one for each color.

Microwave the candy for 40 seconds then stir, repeat in 20 second intervals until melted.

Drizzle over popcorn in one of the bowls and stir with spatula until  mixed

Repeat the process with the red candy melts. (wash spatula so colors are not blended)

Arrange the red and blue popcorn on a large serving platter.

Melt the white candy melts and drizzle over the platter of popcorn, immediately top with sprinkles. 

Finally, toss on the cinnamon candies & enjoy!

Jojo's Favorite Kansas Dirt Cake

Serves: 12

Ingredients 

• 1 package of Oreo cookies (16 ounce)
• 2 packages of instant vanilla pudding (3 1/2 ounce)
• 3 cups of milk
• 1 package of cream cheese (8 ounce)
• 1 cup of powered sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 container Cool Whip, thawed (8 ounce)

Directions

Put Oreo cookies in a bag and crush up.

Put half of the crushed cookies on the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan.

Mix together the pudding & milk, then let chill.

In a separate bowl, cream together the cream cheese, butter & powered sugar until smooth.

Fold in prepared pudding & Cool Whip.

Spread mixture over cookie crumbs.

Top with remaining cookie crumbs.

Chill in fridge before serving & enjoy!

Firework Stand Map

Saftey Tips

• Always ignite outdoors
• Have an adult supervise all fireworks activities
• Have a water supply nearby
• Light from a solid, flat & stable platform
• Light only one firework at a time
• Make sure fireworks debris is cooled off completely before disposing
• Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks
•  Store fireworks in a cool, dry place
• Use a long-handled lighter

Below are specific regulations Manhattan residents should follow

• Sec. 13-58 — Throwing prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to throw, cast or propel fireworks of any kind in the direction of or into the path of any person or group of persons, or from, in the direction of or into any vehicle of any kind.
• Sec. 13-57 — Discharge in street unlawful. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge, ignite or fire any fireworks upon the public streets, alleys or avenues or in any park or public place within the city.
• Sec. 13-66 — Aerial luminaries banned. It shall be unlawful to sell, ignite, or otherwise use an aerial luminary, commonly known as a sky lantern or a floating lantern, within the City of Manhattan.
• KSA 31-55 — Bottle rockets. State statute prohibits sales and possession of “bottle rockets.” Defined as: is mounted on a stick or wire; and projects into the air when ignited, with or without reports, and includes any device with the same configuration, with or without reports, which may be classified as a pipe or trough rocket. "Bottle rocket" does not include helicopter-type rockets.

Firework Discharge 

Manhattan

Discharge from 8am to midnight July 1 - July 4 and sales will start July 1 at noon through midnight of July 4.

Wamego

Discharge is allowed on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of July between 8:00 AM and 11:00 PM, on the 4th of July between 8:00 AM and 11:59 PM, and on the 5th of July between 8:00 AM and10:00 PM. 

Junction City

Discharge is allowed on the July 1st, 2nd, 4th from 8am to midnight and July 3rd and 5th from 8am - 10pm.