Haist already preparing for July 4, 2020

It's almost October, the weather is turning cool and thoughts of the approaching winter are already on the minds of many Cloud Countians, especially the farmers.
Dan Haist is thinking about fireworks.
The 4th of July celebrations - especially the ubiquitous pyrotechnic displays, both large and small - ended several months ago. But for fireworks stand owners like Haist, preparation has already begun for July 4th, 2020.
"In August, really, I'm already starting to plan things out for the next year," he said.
Haist just returned from two fireworks conventions in Missouri, where vendors showcased and demonstrated their latest and greatest.
"There's actually classroom work, too," Haist said. "Of course at night they show you their best stuff."
The National Fireworks Association convention was held in Branson this year, with over 60 vendors displaying their wares. Many of the distributors were from China.
The Haist family has been a fireworks fixture in Cloud County for over a half-century. Dan learned the business from his father, Jim, and now his two daughters, Ashlee and Hannah, operate stands in Topeka.
"My granddaughter Kerrington got involved this year," Haist said. "She bagged customer purchases and thanked them for coming to the stand. She's seven years old."
Haist plans on being involved with the fireworks business as long he can. "I love it," he said. "I love visiting with the people who come to the stand, and seeing all the smiles on the kids' faces. Sometimes the adults are happier than the kids."
Haist wants to expand both the retail and wholesale side of his business, and is looking for an acre or two outside the city limits to build on.
Lately, there's one question he's been asked a lot: 'What happened to Panther Pyro?'
Haist, and several other fans, used to shoot off fireworks every time the Panther high school football team scored a touchdown.
"I shot off the fireworks a safe distance away, but there's always the risk a stray spark could land on the field, and with artificial turf I'm not sure what would happen. I wouldn't want to burn a hole in it."
You can follow Haist on his Facebook page - Dano's Fireworks LLC - where he posts photographs of new products and videos of the fireworks demonstrations at the national conventions.