Great Bend has gone without a public fireworks display for the two years, but the Fourth of July show will return Monday night at the Expo Complex west of town.

The Barton County Fair Board will direct traffic starting around 9 p.m., and will be selling pop and water, so people should leave their beer and coolers at home, said Charles Atkinson, Fair Board President. Bring blankets or lawn chairs to the grassy area south of the Expo buildings.

The fireworks, which will last about 23 minutes, are expected to start around 10 p.m., but could start earlier, weather permitting, said Scott Donovan from Eagle Country radio, KHOK FM 100.7. Wind speed is often a determining factor in the starting time.

KHOK will do live remote broadcasts from the Expo a few minutes before the fireworks, and will play patriotic music during the show. Some people prefer to watch the show from afar and listen to the radio.

Sunflower Diversified Services coordinated the fundraising to bring the annual program back this year. "It’s the regular show that people are used to seeing," said Sunflower Director Jim Johnson.

Larned will also have a community fireworks show on Monday. It will start shortly after dark, north of the Community Center.

Ellinwood will have its show after sundown on Sunday, at the practice field at City Park.