Gary Saathoff, of The Lawrence Jaycees, will answer your questions about the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, which has been moved from Burcham Park to Clinton Lake this year.

ukillaJJ

Why make the citizens of Lawrence drive to an “out-of-town” location, when they could merely walk to a convenient downtown landmark? Which is more dangerous: a slow moving river (but fairly well lit) river flanked by pedestrians (walking, biking, etc.), or a large dark lake flanked by onlookers that drove cars (and may or may not be doing so while intoxicated)?

miniflavors

How will you take care of ALL the cars that will be at the 4th fireworks. There is not enough parking spots for ALL the cars that will show up. Will you put up a map of where it will be and where the cars will be able to park.
thanks
MElody & Michelle

dandelion

It’s been stated that there will be a 2000 car parking lot where people are expected to watch the fireworks from their car, but most will probably sit outside of their cars. Isn’t there more of a danger of someone getting run over after dark when all those cars are leaving than people falling into a river they all know is there.

momieslilgirls

Is there going to be any vendors there?

momieslilgirls

Is there anywhere else the fireworks will be visable from?

ToddMax

Is it true that the city told the jaycees if they didn’t move the display that they would not provide any police or fire protection, or they would charge the Jaycees for this service?

How long have the Jaycees been doing this display at NO CHARGE to the city?

WHY no buses? is it because you don’t want the less fortunate people of lawrence to see the display? Seems like your organization and the city are only interested in providing the display to those people who are able to afford to drive out to the display. . . or the overly affluent citizens who have homes on the lake or surrounding area….BAD JAYCEES….BAD CITY….

Why no music this year? Is it because the city hasn’t bothered to extend electrical service to this mosquito pit they are so proud of and forced you to use?

Just how much CASH does the city provide to the Jaycees to put on this display? Have they always donated? I thought the Jaycees alone and now with the help of Emprise bank were the sole providers of the display……

Since you will be shooting from the dam are, are your members who are discharging the fireworks required to get permits from the federal agencies instead of just from kansas and maybe the lawrence fire department? or is lawrence the only faction of government that you have to satisfy?

who pays for these members, they are card carrying members right, to get certified to shoot? Does the city help with those expenses, since they are so obviously in charge of where and when the display is done?

dandelion

Aren’t there safety concerns about all those cars? How will they see when they are leaving? Aren’t you worried about people being hit by the cars?

Moderator

Thanks for joining us. I’m Jesse Fray, 6News anchor/reporter. Gary Saathoff, of the Lawrence Jaycees, is in the Newscenter this afternoon to chat with us about the move of the annual fireworks display to Clinton Lake from Burcham Park.

Gary Saathoff

Hello. It is great to be here.

Moderator

Gary, tell us why your organization decided to move the big show this year.

Gary Saathoff

With the crowds getting bigger and bigger at burcham park, we were afraid somebody might get hurt. Safety is our number one goal.

ClearSkies

Which part of Clinton Lake will it be held at?

Gary Saathoff

It fireworks will be shot off of the north end of the dam on the east side.

onrywmn

I know there will be people mowing for the parking areas, but is anyone going to clean up the actual sesquecentennial site? It is really weedy in between the stones and looks a mess. Doesn’t anyone keep it up?

Also, since it is a Lawrence “timeline”, why isn’t it in the actual city limits of Lawrence instead of out in the country?

Gary Saathoff

The Lawrence Jaycees will be cleaning up before and after the fireworks. The field that will be used for parking and viewing has been baled and mowed and should be ready for the fireworks. The Sesquecntennial Point is on land leased to the city.

whiskeysour

I’m concerned the field will be a disaster with parking and traffic. Where are the fireworks being shot off from. . . and what would be some alterantive viewing locations (besides the grass field at Sesquitennial Point).

Gary Saathoff

As long as the rain holds off I think the field will be fine. There are plenty of places to watch from, any elevated place very few trees sould provide a good viewing.

lawrencemom

With all the talk of tight city budgets, roads falling apart, etc. how can we afford to have an expensive fireworks display?

Gary Saathoff

The firesworks display is paid for by donations the Jaycees receive. The major sponser this year and for the last 4 years has been Emprise Bank.

Moderator

“ToddMax” wants to know how long the Jaycees have been doing this display at NO CHARGE to the city.

Gary Saathoff

The Lawrence Jaycees have been putting on the fireworks in Lawrence for close to 50 years. I have been apart of it since 1983.

cmkrizan

What time will the fireworks display begin?

Gary Saathoff

The gates will open at 8pm and the fireworks will start at 10pm sharp.

RalphGage

Will the fireworks bother the eagles? Did you have to get special permission because of the birds?

Gary Saathoff

We had to get permits from the city fire dept. and from the corp. of engineers.

MarianKay

Will there be shuttle bus service for those folks who prefer not to drive or would normally have walked downtown?

Gary Saathoff

Unfortionately we will not be able to provide bus service this year. It is on the list for next year.

Moderator

That’s all the time we have for this afternoon’s chat. Is there somewhere people can go for more information about Friday night’s display?

Gary Saathoff

Emprise bank has baught air time on sunflower cable channel 6, ljworld.com and the Journal world newspaper. Thanks for having me this year, see you at the show.

Moderator

Thanks to everyone who participated in today’s chat. Gary is a busy volunteer. Don’t forget about our chat tomorrow afternoon with the director of the Douglas County Health Department. Have a great afternoon!