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From Staff Reports

Just before 10 p.m. Sunday the big show will begin. The annual July 4 fireworks display will culminate a day filled with holiday activities.

A great show is planned, said Ark City Police Chief Dan Givens. Parking will be available at the First United Methodist Church at 2448 Edgemont Ave., in Arkansas City, and at the Assembly of God Church on Summit Street. These are both good places to watch the show, and both churches will have a variety of activities to go with the fireworks.

Parking will be available at the VFW and at the Spring Hill Golf Course near the Assembly of God church. Many people gather along the second fairway, another popular place to watch the fireworks.

The local Fraternal Order of Police hosts the show and has for the past 20 years.

"It will be a great show. We want people to enjoy it and have a good time, but people need to be careful and alert. I want people to watch out for kids running around cars," the chief said.

Givens said there will be several thousand people at the show, and the police department will try to assist in moving traffic along.

Parking is prohibited along the bypass, up to U.S. Highway 77, for watching fireworks.

At the Assembly of God church, there will be music, as well as free hamburgers and hot dogs, beginning at 5 p.m. There will also be games for children and people can stay there for the fireworks.

At the Methodist Church a full program is scheduled, beginning at 6:30 p.m. They will have concessions such as pork burgers and hamburgers.

At 7:15 there will be a special flag ceremony. The Arkansas City Community Band, directed by Gary Gackstatter, will perform from 7:45 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

At 8:30 p.m. there will be a patriotic speech.

Free popcorn will be at 9 p.m., and the fireworks start about 10 p.m.

Police will be stationed at Edgemont and Summit, and at Windsor and Summit to assist in the movement of traffic.

Police will be on the lookout for alcohol and illegal fireworks, Givens said. We want a safe celebration for all.

The Fraternal Order of Police raises $15,000 for the show each year. They receive approximately $5,000 in cash and services. "It's a $20,000 show for $15,000," he said.

Givens said contributions can still be made by sending them to the police department at 117 W. Central Ave., Arkansas City, Kans., 67005.

Above: Zoe Pritchard's picture was taken just days after she was born, inside her father's helment and in front of an American Flag. She is the daughter of Todd and Jennifer Pritchard, who are stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington. Todd is set to ship out soon to Iraq. He is a native of Arkansas City. His parents are Tom and Sheila Pritchard who are Ark City residents.