Wichita to bring back Fourth of July fireworks in 2015

Wichita will have a citywide Fourth of July fireworks display in 2015 for the first time since 2010.

The fireworks are expected to cap off a new all-day city event — the Independence Day Block Party Celebration.

The celebration will include a 1,000-foot water slide from the Lewis Street Bridge west across McLean Boulevard to Sycamore and Maple, said Stacey Hamm, marketing and development director for the city’s Park and Recreation Department.

The Wichita Parks Foundation will sponsor the event, and the city will be a partner, Hamm said. But not all the money is in place yet, and the city is seeking corporate sponsors, Hamm said. It is also still working through bids, and the price tag is not available yet. Volunteers also will be recruited, she said. People who want to help can call her at 316-268-4124.

Wichita last had a Fourth of July fireworks show in 2010 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium after a Wingnuts game. Managers of the Wingnuts lost a $5,000 sponsorship from the city after that and decided to end it.

At the 2015 event, the water slide will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. July 4 and feature one-slide, three-slide and unlimited-slide passes, Hamm said. People can preregister at the website www.slidethecity.com/events/wichita. Prices are $15, $30 and $50 for early-bird registration.

Other activities will include inflatables in the Lawrence-Dumont Stadium parking lot, Hamm said.

The Fourth of July is on a Saturday this year, which makes it even better, she said.

This story was originally published February 4, 2015 at 1:45 PM with the headline "Wichita to bring back Fourth of July fireworks in 2015."