photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

Fireworks light up the sky on July 3, 2022, over the KU Endowment building, 1891 Constant Ave.

Lawrence will get its Independence Day party started early this year, and it will be in a new location.

City officials have set July 3 as the date for the city’s fireworks show and it is moving to the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

City officials were still finalizing details on Tuesday afternoon, but confirmed the fireworks show will begin at 9:45 p.m. on Monday, July 3, and the prime viewing area is set for the outdoor arena at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper Street.

The Lawrence Jaycees, the city of Lawrence, Douglas County, and other sponsors are coming together to put on the event. The fireworks show will be the grand finale of the celebration, but food and music also will be on tap beforehand.

Organizers have food truck sales and a beer garden by Free State Brewing Company beginning at 4 p.m. Live bands also will begin at 4 p.m. The event will feature a lineup that includes: R&B/pop band VCM at 4 p.m.; bluegrass band The Matchsellers at 5 p.m.; reggae group Page 7 at 6 p.m.; funk/pop group The Whips at 7 p.m.; and Latin rock and Americana group Maria The Mexican at 8:20 p.m.

The fairgrounds is a new location for the event. Traditionally the fireworks show has been centered on downtown as fireworks were launched from an area near the Kansas River. Last year, the event — which also was held on July 3 — was at the Shenk Sports Complex near 23rd and Iowa streets, with many of the festivities happening at the nearby Lied Center. However, this year, that part of KU’s West Campus is under heavy construction for The Crossing project, a mixed-used development of retail, office and residential uses.