High prices not dampening plans for the Fourth of July

Despite gas costs, AAA projecting record number of weekend travelers

Although gasoline prices are well over $2 per gallon across the country, more Americans will travel this holiday weekend than ever before, according to AAA forecasters.

An estimated 40.3 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles, which is a 2.8 percent increase over the number of people who traveled last year on the July 4 weekend. Most of those travelers – 33.9 million of them – will be going by car.

“Friday we expect to be a busy travel day, as well as Monday, then through the weekend we’ll see trickle traffic” said Lt. John Eichkorn, spokesman for the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Going into the weekend motorists will find a nationwide gas price average of $2.16 for regular unleaded. On Wednesday in Lawrence, the average price was $2.15, according to a AAA survey. The prices could increase slightly as the weekend begins.

Thousands of people will visit area lakes, and many of them will be putting their boats on the water. They, too, will be faced with high gas prices. The price of premium gasoline, which is often used in boat engines, could be 20 to 30 cents higher than the regular unleaded found at vehicle gasoline stations, said Lee Kennedy, manager of the Clinton Lake Marina. The price of premium at the marina was about $2.50 per gallon, he said.

The high gas prices aren’t deterring motorists, and Kennedy doesn’t think they will deter boaters, either.

“People are going to have their fun,” Kennedy said. “They are still going to want to take their boats out and have a good time.”

Barbecues and fireworks

Brothers Michael-Shayne Baxter, 11, left, and Peyton Baxter, 7, both of Eudora, race in a pool as their grandmother, Brenda Long, not pictured, watches in Eudora on Wednesday as temperatures reached the upper 90s. Similar weather is expected for the holiday weekend.

Many people who don’t head for the lakes will gather with friends and family for backyard barbecues. More people grill out on July 4 than any other holiday of the year, according to the Kansas Propane Education Resource Council.

Most of the grilling is done on propane grills, the council says.

Here are some tips for using propane grills safely:

¢ Before connecting or lighting a propane grill, use a leak detection solution to check connections for tightness. Do not use matches or lighters to check for leaks.

¢ Never pour accelerant such as lighter fluid or gasoline on the grill.

¢ Do not smoke while grilling.

¢ When the grill is not in use, make sure the burner controls are turned off.

After dinner, many residents of Lawrence and other areas that ban fireworks will head for public displays.

John Holmstead of Lawrence hooks up his jet ski after taking it out on Clinton Lake Wednesday afternoon. Holmstead said he was planning to go to Perry Lake for the Fourth of July.

In Lawrence, that means the annual Jaycees fireworks display at Burcham Park, Second and Indiana streets. Though the fireworks won’t start until about 9:45 p.m., or until it gets dark, festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with live music in the park.

In McLouth, a fireworks display will be held at the McLouth Sports Complex. Those attending should park and view the display on Bulldog Lane by the football field. The event is sponsored by the McLouth Recreation Commission, the city of McLouth, McLouth Kiwanis Club and the McLouth Fire Department. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged.

A Saturday night fireworks display will be held near the Stull United Methodist Church, 251 North 1600 Road.

Wednesday night, Douglas County commissioners approved public fireworks permits for a display requested by Brent W. Lathrom for Sunday night at 1542 E. 1 Road.

Ray Glass climbs into his boat along with Jesse Dowell, 13, and her mother, Rayanne Dowell, who is the daughter of Glass. The group hit the Clinton Lake for some water sports Wednesday.

Commissioners also approved a fireworks display for the city of Baldwin to be held Monday night near the high school.

Most fireworks are banned inside the Lawrence city limits. They can be shot off in unincorporated areas of Douglas County. Fireworks stands can be set up outside the city and owners will be allowed to sell fireworks starting Saturday.

Safety concerns

To deal with the increased vehicle traffic on state roads and highways, Highway Patrol troopers will be allowed to work overtime, Eichkorn said. In addition, troopers normally involved with management duties are being allowed to adjust their schedules so they can be out on the highways Friday night, he said.

“Because we know so many people will be celebrating outside, we’ll be watching closely for the impaired driver and removing them as quickly as we can,” Eichkorn said.

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical will be working with Lawrence Police to investigate fireworks complaints, Fire Marshal Rich Barr said.

Despite the fireworks ban, because people will be grilling and the weather the past two weeks has been very dry, the possibility of fires is still a concern, Barr said.

“It would be nice if we could have some rain on the morning of July 4 and get some moisture in the grass and then have it cool down,” he said.