Welch Stadium on the Emporia State University campus will open at 8 p.m. for people who want to view the community fireworks display on Wednesday, July 4. The west side of the stadium and the field offer the best views.
People who want to view from the field are welcome to sit on the field with blankets. Chairs of any kind are prohibited on the turf and track. Seating also is available on the west side of the stadium, which includes seats with backs. No food or drink is allowed on the track or field.
The fireworks display organized by the Flint Hills Optimist Club will be shot from the soccer fields north of Interstate 35. It will begin between 9:45 and 10 p.m. on Wednesday and last approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Viewing is also available from the football practice field on the north end of campus.
The two parking lots across Highland Street from the art annex are available for handicapped parking and viewing. To view a map of parking for the event, click here.
For those wanting to make a celebration that evening, tailgating is available in designated areas on campus beginning at 7 p.m. These areas are the parking lot north of the Greg Kossover Tennis Complex, home of Milton Courts, and the parking lot adjacent to the Student Recreation Center on the north end of campus.
Neither alcohol nor personal fireworks are allowed on campus. For those tailgating, special containers will be available to dispose of hot coals.
The annual Emporia fireworks display is a cooperative effort among Flint Hills Optimist Club, Emporia Police Department, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Emporia Fire Department and Emporia State University.