photo by: Mike Yoder/Journal World

A young boy covers his ears and watches the Community Fireworks Show Sunday night near the Lied Center.

Updated at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, June 16

This year’s Independence Day community celebration and fireworks display has been slated for Sunday, July 3, according to a news release Wednesday from Lawrence Parks and Recreation.

The fireworks display will begin around 9:45 p.m. at the Shenk Sports Complex at 23rd and Iowa streets. The nearby Dole Institute, 2350 Petefish Drive, will be hosting family-friendly activities beginning at 5:30 p.m.

In the event of inclement weather, the event will take place on Monday, July 4.

The event is sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas in conjunction with the Lawrence Jaycees, City of Lawrence, University of Kansas, the Dole Institute, the Lied Center of Kansas and eXplore Lawrence.

Derek Rogers, director of Parks and Recreation, told the Journal-World that the decision to have the display on July 3 instead of on the actual holiday was based on a few factors.

“There are quite a few people in Lawrence that have Monday the 4th off as a holiday, and the Jaycees won’t start the fireworks until it is dark, which is later in the evening,” Rogers said. “By doing fireworks the night before the actual holiday, it gives people more time to enjoy the show and sleep in the next day. This also will allow for a rain date of July 4th.”