More than three decades ago, a few local friends gathered to produce a Fourth of July show for the Concordia community, beginning with just consumer-grade fireworks and a few lit punks. Today, professional pyrotechnicians produce a 30-minute display matched to various songs for the crowd's enjoyment.
The masterminds behind the display include a cohort of folks, including Easy G Sports Grill owners Tom Gennette, Sallman Construction President Chad Sallman and Dano's Fireworks owner Dan Haist. On Thursday last week, Gennette and Sallman donated $3,000, as they do each year with funds gathered from Easy G's annual Labor Day golf tournament.
"We started in 1994, and we had Softball for Fireworks, that was our very first year," Gennette said. "My dad was the collector for that fundraiser, and when he passed away, we decided to pick it up and we've been doing it ever since. We opened the bar and started the golf tournament, and this is our 10th year doing it."
Since the entire fireworks show is free for attendees, those behind the display often host a raffle fundraiser to collect contributions for it. This year, Haist has put together a raffle drawing for a $1,000 shopping spree at his brick-and-mortar location in Concordia on the Fourth of July. Those interested in purchasing raffle tickets can contact Haist at danosfireworks@gmail.com.
The Concordia City Fireworks Display will take place on the evening of Friday, July 3, at the Cloud County Fairgrounds in Concordia.
