Once a year, the small community of Wamego welcomes the world, as both residents and visitors from around the globe experience the Best Fireworks Display in Kansas, voted number one in the Kansas Best 150 ranking. Wamego, home to one of the longest running Independence Day celebrations in Kansas, attracts over 50,000 spectators each year to experience 30 minutes of spectacular fireworks choreographed to music. This award-winning pyro musical production saturates the sky with sparks of color and dazzles all ages. Its uniqueness lies in its citizen-led efforts and high caliber of produc
tion.
What many people find most inspiring about the Wamego Fireworks Show is the community-wide effort that takes place year-round to make the production a reality every 4th of July. “Citizen volunteers contribute thousands of hours to produce the show, while hundreds of donors from near and far contribute funds to make the fireworks show possible,” according to Chris Hupe, Chairman of the Wamego Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and member of the PYRO crew. Hupe continues:
“What Wamego has is rare. Today, it’s rare to find a fireworks production that is 100 percent volunteer-led and on par with the some of the best fireworks shows in the nation.”
Since 1999, the PYRO crew has banded together to create a community-wide celebration. Throughout the year, community members join forces to prep for the show, as they all share a vested interest in providing unforgettable joy to those who view their artwork in the sky.
To provide the inside scoop on the best place to view this unique production, Lance White, CVB board member and PYRO crew technician shares, “The ideal viewing location is in the Recreation Complex. There, viewers sit back and experience 360 degrees of non-stop fireworks. Hundreds of shells per minute shot across a 200 thousand square foot shooting area, staged from all four baseball diamonds.” White continues, “You just can’t beat the experience. Visitors get to view the stunning special effects from the low to mid-level at 100 feet in the air, as well as at the mid to high-level at around 650 feet in the air.”
The ignition of each firework is magically coordinated to the sounds of celebratory music. Not only do spectators experience one of the brightest and loudest shows in the Midwest, but they indulge in a fireworks production that is brilliantly coordinated to music. Referencing the visitor experience overall, Neil Ebert, a local home builder and PYRO technician, shares “Even as spectators await the beginning of the show, the musical entertainment provided by the band Departure adds a special feature to the experience overall.” Departure will perform for spectators prior to the show starting at 7:30pm and immediately following the display for 30 minutes.
“The addition of the Boomtown documentary has been a great thrill for visitors wanting to know more about the display” Hupe said, “the 30-minute film made by Drew Malin provides a fast paced and behind the scenes look into planning, setting up, and firing the show.” The film will be shown at the Columbian Theatre at 1 and 2pm on the 4th and is free to the public.
Interested in attending? Arrive early to maximize your experience and avoid congestion in the hours preceding the parade and display, even better make a day of it and enjoy the activities. You can park near the fireworks site in the afternoon and easily walk between venues. Visitors are highly encouraged to arrive early, sit back and relax while the sun sets. Due to the popularity of this event, arriving on-site later than 9:00pm is not advised. For a full rundown of events, activities and information regarding parking, food options, day plans, and insider secrets to a great day in Wamego, go to visit www.VisitWamego.com