The Iola Elks will have a full slate of Independence Day activities Sunday, capped by their annual fireworks extravaganza at dusk.
Activities kick off at Elks Lake, on the south edge of Iola, from 9 a.m. to noon with a fishing derby for area youngsters. Each young sportsman will be guaranteed a prize. A free lunch for the youngsters will follow; adults can eat, too, but they must pay for their meals.
The afternoon will feature a carp fishing contest for adults and a horseshoe pitching contest.
A swimming area also will be open after the fishing derbies have ended, organizers said.
The fireworks display kicks off at dusk and is certain to fill the skies over the lake with colorful bursts and other aerial reports.
FOR THE 28TH consecutive year, residents in Gas will be treated to quite a fireworks show, courtesy of Gerry Diltz.
Diltz, a Wichita transplant, comes to Gas each summer from his home in Wyoming to operate a local fireworks stand.
His fireworks show Sunday evening serves as a gift to the community. Those who park close enough to the launch site — he shoots them off north of the Crossroads Learning Center building — also are treated to a musical accompaniment.
HUMBOLDT and Elsmore aren’t waiting until Sunday for their Fourth of July fun.
On Friday, Humboldt will host a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting at 5 p.m. to mark the improvements to River Park, just west of the Marsh arch bridge that spans the Neosho River.
The scene shifts to Humboldt Municipal Pool for free swimming later that evening from 8 to 10.
On Saturday, a model airplane club will set up shop at the Humboldt Municipal Golf Course at 7 p.m. At the same time, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Ninth and Amos streets, will host an ice cream social.
The Humboldt Lions Club’s annual Mike Rickner Memorial Fireworks Display will cap Saturday’s activities at the golf course.
Also Saturday, The Elsmore Ruritan Club will host its Independence Day celebration with a meal downtown at 6:30 p.m. Games will follow throughout the evening before the fireworks show begins at dusk.
