Fireworks are a no-go in Great Bend for Independence Day today, but that doesn’t mean the holiday is a bust, said Christina Hayes, Great Bend Community Coordinator. She has plenty of ideas for ways to enjoy the holiday at home.
“I cringe when I hear people say there’s nothing to do in Great Bend,” she said. She supports the cities decision to postpone the fireworks display. “What better year to do that than one where the holiday falls on a Wednesday,” she said. “Everyone has to go back to work on Thursday anyway, so having to go without (fireworks) this year isn’t as disappointing as it would have been if it was a weekend holiday.”
Some activities to do at home might include water balloon or water gun fights, Hayes suggested. Have the kids get the sidewalk chalk out and create their own fireworks on the sidewalk. Hayes points out that there are great attractions all over town to visit too. “Think about it, if you lived in Wichita, what would you do? They aren’t allowing fireworks to be set off in the city limits there either,” she said.
There are 14 different parks in Great Bend, Hayes pointed out. “If you haven’t visited all of them, it might be fun to get the kids in the car and take a quick tour,” she said.”Pack a lunch and head to Britt Spaugh Park and take your pick of free activities.”
Visitors can fly a kite, or try to make a ringer at the horseshoe pits, A remote control race track is available for RC aficionados to try their skills. The skate park is always open too.
The Great Bend Zoo, located at the park’s east entrance, offers free admission as always. It will be open during regular hours from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., zoo keeper Scott Gregory said. For the best opportunity to see the animals out and about in their cages, come before 10:30 a.m. he suggested. “Anytime temperatures get above 85 degrees, the animals often seek their back areas to get out of the heat,” he said. “They always have access to their indoor and outdoor areas during public viewing hours.”
Visit Veterans Park and take a gander at the baby swans hugging the water’s edge, Hayes suggested. While there, some other activities to try are frisbee golf and volleyball. Don’t forget to take Spot to the adjoining dog park. Blue Green algae is still a problem at Veterans Park lake, so fishing is not advised.
But if a day off isn’t complete without fishing, visit Stone Lake to the south, but don’t forget your fishing license. Small boats are welcome at the lake.

Keeping cool in the heat of the day
Great Bend’s Wetlands Water Park will feature special games and competitions throughout the day, says Amber Hederson, a head lifeguard at the pool.
“There will be three-legged races and mattress surfing to start,” she said. The park will show their appreciation for military personnel by offering free admission for the day to members with military ID. Hours are from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Club West pool is also open on July 4. The private pool allows visitors who pay admission to come up to four times before purchasing a membership. Erin Holste, pool manager, says the pool will be hosting a bring-a-dish cookout from 12  to 4  p.m. Staff will be cooking the hotdogs and hamburgers and providing the lemonade. It is located in the Twin Lakes neighborhood at 5201 Timber Creek Rd.
If you prefer to stay out of the sun in the afternoon, three big-budget summer movies are showing at the Village Cinemas, including “The Amazing Spiderman in 3D”, “Ted”, and “Brave.”
The Kansas Wetlands Education Center at the Cheyenne Bottoms will be closed, but visitors can still stop at any of the kiosks at entry points to the marsh and pick up a brochure to take a self-guided tour. Site manager Curtis Wolf says the water levels are low due to the drought conditions in the area, but the birds are still there. In fact, the unusual presence of a Red-necked Stint has been reported the last few days at Little Salt Marsh, just south of the main outlet. The sighting has been confirmed twice by birding experts. The best times to view birds are either early morning or right before dusk. Bring the binoculars and camera, and spot the next unusual sighting.
If you just can’t go without a patriotic display, there’s nothing wrong with hopping in the car with a blanket or some folding chairs and supporting Great Bend’s neighbors, Hayes said. Ellinwood’s display starts at 9:30 p.m. at the city park at the northwest side of town. The city of Larned, too, will observe the holiday with fireworks at Jordan park, and band music performed prior to the show.