Boomtown will be silenced on the 4th of July.
The Wamego City Commission unanimously adopted a motion Tuesday to postpone the annual freedom celebration, carnival, parade and fireworks show, which typically draws in over 50,000 people. A makeup date has not been determined.
A chief concern was the uncertainty of when Kansas and county health officials will be able to lift the ban on large group gatherings. Phase 4 of Governor Laura Kelly’s reopening is set to begin around June 15, but would only raise the limit on public gatherings to 90 people. Nothing has been stated beyond late June for what, if any limitations might be put on such gatherings.
Also a concern is the ability to execute the show in a way that’s safe for the PyroCrew, volunteers and the community. Because of the show’s importance to the community, city commissioners and the PyroCrew say they plan to still have the show at some point.
It was mentioned during Tuesday’s meeting that the crew could pull off a show with 10 days notice, but would be unable to raise funds accordingly and market the show to the standards they would in a typical year. The fireworks show is 100 percent donor funded and is the No. 1 rated fireworks show in Kansas.
The annual 4th of July celebration is Wamego’s largest event of the year as well as its primary tourism revenue generator.
