Concordia Fireworks Display set for July 3

There will be rockets red glare and bombs bursting in the air in the skies above the Cloud County Fairgrounds during the Concordia City Fireworks Display that is scheduled for July 3 at 10 p.m.

For the fourth straight year, Dano's Fireworks, owned and operated by Dan Haist, is in charge of orchestrating the fireworks display.

Each of the four years under the direction of Dano's Fireworks, the display has evolved.

“This year we took a really big step,” Haist said.

Two years ago, Haist and those who help him with the display, ignited a portion of it electronically. The next year a little more was done electronically.

This year the entire display, which will last approximately 25 minutes, will be ignited electronically.

“It is something totally different. We are trying something new,” Haist said.

Ashlee Haist, Dan's daughter, and Ron Knight of Milford, are working to put the display together this year.

Dan met Knight a few years ago at the National Fireworks Association convention.

'It has been a blessing having him (Knight) teach her (Ashlee),” Dan said.

Also helping with the display have been Concordia Firefighters Derek Champlin and Johnnie Mastin.

Donations are being accepted to help cover the cost of the display, and volunteers are being sought to help with parking the night of the display and with cleanup the next morning.

Those wanting to make a donation can drop it off or mail it to the Concordia Chamber of Commerce office, 207 West Sixth St.

Anyone making a donation of $250 or more will get a pass to park on the west side of the fairgrounds in the VIP section during the display.

Those wanting to help with the cleanup should meet at the fairgrounds on July 4 at 10 a.m. Their names will be put in a drawing for a $50 family pack from Dano's Fireworks, 132 Rust Rd. Bring gloves and a rake.

Dano's Fireworks is celebrating its 50th year of selling fireworks and will match up to $5,000 that is donated for the display after June 5 through July 4.

The city permit fee for fireworks stands is being allocated to the display.