Fireworks!

It’s a 3-day weekend for some and the holiday plans are revving up. Fireworks stands have cropped up across Emporia, and there’s even a giant ape drawing attention on east 12th Avenue encouraging all to stop. Stock up on your favorite firecrackers, but remember these rules and tips from the City of the Emporia.

Independence Day signifies a special time in the summer for picnics, ballgames, swimming, reunions and more. If you’re entertaining a group of family and friends, Fremont Park, Peter Pan Park, Soden’s Grove Park, and the David Traylor Zoo are excellent choices for such an occasion. Shelters in city parks can be reserved by calling 342-4365 Monday through Friday.

Finally, don’t forget Emporia’s fireworks this year will be presented by the Flint Hills Optimist Club on Sunday, July 3rd, on the north end of the Emporia State University campus. Happy Independence Day Emporia!

Flint Hills Optimist club gears up for a big bang at the July 3rd fireworks show.

Disc Golf

You might notice those metal structures with chains on them in Peter Pan Park and Jones Park. Try your hand at some disc golf. It’s free to play but you will need some discs to get started. Check out Dynamic Discs at 912 Commercial to get this fun sport started.

Take a drive on the Flint Hills Scenic Byway

Do you know about the Kansas Scenic Byways? The CVB has brochures describing the scenic byways in Kansas and maps that show the byways and historic trails that run through our state. Did you know the Santa Fe Trail runs through historic Council Grove? This was the last stop for settlers on the trail for supplies before the long trip west. Discover more about this and other information in the Kansas Travel Guide, available at the CVB. More brochures like the official Kansas Outdoors guide are also available at the CVB. Read all about the cycling craze happening in Kansas and the whole country in the guide as well. There’s also an excellent resource guide to help you locate visitor services, hunting, fishing and lodging information, and state parks too.  These annual publications are produced by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, and are absolutely free! Take a drive through the beautiful Flint Hills and discover the Kansas wildflowers dotting the scenery. Pick up a brochure or two at the Emporia Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) to help you identify the wildflowers.