Fourth of July activities set for Baldwin City, Eudora; Parks announcement to be made at Eudora community picnic

The summer seems to fly by as fast as the corn grows. The season starts one week, and the next week fireworks stands start popping up in rural Douglas County, Baldwin City, Eudora and Lecompton. That’s a sign the Fourth of July is here and that summer is half over, at least as measured by school summer vacation.

Continuing a recent tradition, the Baldwin City Recreation Commission will have a free day at the municipal pool from 1 to 5 p.m. on July 4. BCRC director Steve Friend said the pool party would include free hot dogs and a DJ. In addition, a couple of inflatables will be set up on the lawn near the pool, he said.

The BCRC will have its annual Fourth of July fireworks show Tuesday at the Baldwin City Intermediate Center, 100 Bullpup Drive. Once again, the show will start with the onset of darkness. The show is free, but the BCRC will be accepting donations for next year’s show, Friend said.

By order of Baldwin City Fire Chief Terry Baker, private fireworks will not be allowed at the show, Friend said.

The Eudora Parks and Recreation Department will have that community’s annual fireworks show Tuesday at Eudora Middle School, 2635 Church St. Activities will start at 6:30 p.m. with the fireworks show to start at 8:45 p.m. The event this year is to benefit the Eudora Community Museum, which is now the host of the “Water/Ways” traveling Smithsonian exhibit. Those attending may purchase a $1 raffle ticket for prizes as a benefit to the museum.

Activities before the show will include music by the Wakarusa River Band and a patriotic dress-up contest for children 10 years of age and younger.

Eudora Assistant to the City Manager Leslie Herring is teasing an announcement to be made during an afternoon of activities Saturday, July 8, at Bluejacket Park, 12th and Cedar streets. The park will be the site of a Eudora Parks and Recreation community picnic from noon to 2 p.m. with free hamburgers and drinks and family activities. There will be a disc golf tournament starting at 2 p.m., Herring said.

The 1 p.m. announcement will be a $125,000 donation by a number of corporate partners for the park project, Herring said. The names of the donors and the project to be funded with the donation will be revealed with the announcement, she said.