Sedalia Parks & Rec to Host ‘Fireworks Spectacular’ July 4

Sedalia Parks & Rec has announced a Fireworks Spectacular for Saturday, July 4 starting at 9:45 p.m., at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

Admission is free.

Please note that the grandstand will not be open.

According to a story published by KSIS Radio Nov. 14:

The cost of a professional fireworks display has increased exponentially recently.

The latest figure is $25,000. “You know, that’s a lot of money to spend on fireworks,” Epple said. “We put a bid out two months ago, asking what $15,000 would get us, and each of the four companies said we’re not going to bid on it, our minimum (price) this year is $25,000.”

Epple noted that “It’s a lot of money, and with our park budget, we can’t afford $25,000. City Council has always given us $5,000 (towards the cost) and then we paid the difference.”

She added that the Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce stepped away from sponsoring that event in 2017. That’s when Sedalia Parks & Rec took over at the behest of the mayor at the time. The cost then was around $10,000.

Now, with the inflated cost of a professional fireworks show, held at the Missouri State Fairgrounds, Epple said that she hopes the City will go half on the cost of the 2026 show, which would be $12,500.

Signing a contract with the fireworks provider soon will lock in the price and guarantee a show in July.

Sedalia Parks & Rec is also sponsoring a Fourth of July parade that starts at 10 a.m., in downtown Sedalia.

Enter your floats for free by contacting the Parks Office. Prizes will be awarded to Most Patriotic, Most Original and Most Creative float.

The theme is "America's 250th Birthday!"