Legacy Blast Fireworks Extravaganza set for July 1!

Celebrate Safely and Legally with Fireworks

Once again Lee’s Summit has chosen to ignore the day of our independence in this Great Nation. They just want to keep removing any recognition of what this country stands for and the Men and Women that have Fought for our freedom. Then again, I guess that gives Lee’s Summit the right to celebrate July 1, and ignore Independence Day. GOD BLESS THE USA!!!

Allen – Thank you for your comments. This year Legacy Blast will be held Friday, July 1st. This will be the second year Legacy Blast will be held the Friday before the 4th of July. The decision was based on the following reasons:

1) Having the event on Friday night last year resulted in the largest turnout ever. It was exciting to see the open parking lots in Legacy Park full as well as the parking lots at Richardson Elementary and St. Margaret’s Catholic Church. Walkers and bikers also enjoyed the event from many different locations throughout Legacy Park.

2) Personnel from LSPD and LSFD are stretched to support the community on July 4th. Moving Legacy Blast to July 1st reduces the personnel demands on the holiday and allows for full police support on July 4th throughout our community.
3) Last year we received numerous positive comments about the date change. In fact, there were 30 positive comments compared to 15 negative comments.

4 ) The City saved approximately $7,450 on overtime and holiday pay last year. (LSPD - $4,500, LSFD - $150, LSPR - $2,800).
I would also like to pass on that the decision to host Legacy Blast on the Friday before July 4th is a year to year decision made by the City Council. As always, we appreciate your comments. If you have additional comments or questions please don’t hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at 816-969-1555 or by email at Jodi.Bell@cityofls.net.

I can assure you that the City of Lee’s Summit has not overlooked the importance of this holiday and has an enormous amount of respect for our Men and Women who serve our country. I hope you will join us for this celebration of our nation’s 235th birthday.


Respectfully,

Jodi Bell
Legacy Park Community Center Manager
Lee's Summit Parks & Recreation

As a soon to be resident of Lee's Summit,(building in Legacy Wood), I think that it is GREAT you are having the celebration on Friday! That means I get to celebrate Independence Day twice! Once with the kiddos at Legacy park and then again with my family on the 4th! Keep up the awesome work!

Sounds like fun.

Is there a specific time the fireworks are to go off? And how long are they intended to last. Can you bring in a picnic?

Thanks!

Brittany - The gates open at 6pm and the fireworks will start around 9:40pm.
Yes you may bring food into the park but no grills or alcohol will be allowed. We will also have concessions stands open at each of the 3 venues. I hope you and your family enjoy the show!

I am happy the fireworks are on Friday and not the 4th. There will be plenty of other displays to see on the 4th, and I like the opportunity to take my family to as many displays as I can. Thanks again!

I love that the show is on Friday. The only complaint I'd make is that your information here is lacking in details, such as whether fireworks, grilling, or alcohol are allowed. If you have it elsewhere, I've missed it and apologize.

Jeff- Thank you for asking! No Fireworks of anykind will and No Alcohol will be allowed into the park.Grills will NOT be allowed in either although you may bring in your own food. Concessions will be open for you as well.

I think it's great that I can enjoy the fireworks on Friday the 1st. It's very difficult for me to enjoy a display late into the evening when the next day is a work day. I in no way thought that Lees Summit was being anti-patriotic. Patriotism is in your heart, not on the day you celebrate it! Also, families can do their own activities on the actual holiday including our City employees! Thanks LS and thanks Jodi for all the info! Happy 4th to all!

Which lots will be available for parking? Where in the park are the fireworks shot from? In the email responses you said the gates open at 6pm and the fireworks start around 9:40pm. On the main page it says the gates open at 6pm and close at 9pm. Is that true? The gates will close before the fireworks display starts? Thank you.

Ryan- The softball venue, baseball venue and soccer venues will be the lots open for the show. The fireworks are shot from the Community Center. That area will be closed to spectators. Legacy Park Drive will be closed at 9:25pm so that cars are not coming into the parking lots while the show is in progress. Lights will be turned off at 9:38pm prior to the 9:40 start time. I hope this answers some of your questions! Thank you!

Can anyone answer the question as to why the city is prohibiting consumers from discharging their own fireworks on the 1st of July when the city is discharging their fireworks that night? This is found in the list of rules published on your website.

Given the amount of fireworks that will likely be discharged across the city that night, how does the city plan to enforce these rules? Secondly, does that honestly make any sense to prohibit this?

I am new to the area and as such I am trying to google directions to the park. Is there an actual physical adress?

Liza -
Legacy Park encompasses NE Legacy Park Drive. It does not have a physical address, but you can use any of the venue addresses, 1201 - 1501 NE Legacy Park Drive to google it. The park sits between Colbern and Langsford Roads off of Blackwell Parkway.

jbell you said there will be 3 venues, is the somewhere to show what the 3 are? is there live music ect? can not find much info about what is going on before the fireworks.

Danny - The 3 venues are all located on Legacy Park drive and will be in this order as you enter the south entrance Softball Venue, Baseball Venue and Soccer Venue. The launch site will be the community center which is off of Bluestem drive. This parking lot will be closed to spectators. (Google maps shows a great arial view of the park if you type in 901 NE Bluestem Drive) At each of the 3 venues there will be music provided by KCMO 94.9 as well as moonwalks, face painters, balloon artist and stilt walkers . The concession stands will also be open. I hope this answers your questions! Thank you!

Can you list the names of the artists/bands playing the live music and what kind of music? Also, where will the stage(s) be for the live music? Thanks.

Diane - There will NOT be any live music at Legacy Blast. The Radio station will be broadcasting a live radio fee. Sorry for the confusion!

Thank you for having this great venue on Friday - we'll be watching from our driveway as our elderly guests want to stay inside as long as possible.

Jodi, great idea having the event on Friday night. We look forward and plan to attend every year. We really appreciate all the work that goes in to planning and providing the event for us all. God Bless America.

Dear Matt,

Thank you for your questions and comments about discharging fireworks in Lee’s Summit. First, the City wants everyone to have fun celebrating Independence Day, but most of all we want citizens and visitors to understand the City’s fireworks regulations and to remember to be safe when discharging fireworks.

Several years ago the Lee’s Summit City Council approved an ordinance that allowed for the use of approved consumer fireworks (1.4G) on July 2nd, 3rd and, 4th. With a user permit obtained from one of the City approved fireworks tents or City Hall, citizens may discharge consumer fireworks on their property, on July 2nd and 3rd between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 p.m., and on July 4th between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight.

Professional display fireworks (1.3G), such as those used during Legacy Blast on Friday, July 1st, are discharged by licensed pyro-technicians and go through a separate permitting process with much stricter regulations. Professional fireworks displays may be conducted any time of year with an approved permit. As of today, two special event permits have been issued for fireworks displays – one for Legacy Blast July 1st and one for the Lakewood fireworks display on July 4th.

This will be the second year Legacy Blast will be held the Friday before the 4th of July. The decision was based on the following reasons:

1) Having the event on Friday night last year resulted in the largest turnout ever. It was exciting to see the open parking lots in Legacy Park full as well as the parking lots at Richardson Elementary and St. Margaret’s Catholic Church. Walkers and bikers also enjoyed the event from many different locations throughout Legacy Park.

2) Personnel from the Lee’s Summit Police Department (LSPD) and Lee’s Summit Fire Department (LSFD) are stretched to support the community on July 4th. Moving Legacy Blast to July 1st reduces the personnel demands on the holiday and allows for full police support on July 4th throughout our community.

3) Last year we received numerous positive comments about the date change. In fact, there were 30 positive comments compared to 15 negative comments.

4) The City saved approximately $7,450 on overtime and holiday pay last year. (LSPD - $4,500, LSFD - $150, Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation (LSPR) - $2,800)

The decision to host Legacy Blast on the Friday before July 4th is a year-to-year decision made by the Lee’s Summit City Council.
In regard to enforcement of the rules and regulations, LSPD police officers will respond to fireworks calls received from the community.

For more information about the sale and use of consumer fireworks in Lee’s Summit, visit www.cityofls.net and click on fireworks ordinance or contact me at 816.969.1014.

Yes, thank you for having it on Friday. Just because LS celebrates it on the friday before doesn't mean we are ignoring those who fought for our freedom! I'm excited to celebrate, and will be there on Friday! Great job city of LS!

To the City of Lee's Summit and Jodi Bell.. Many families can not celebrate on the exact Holiday due to next day being a work day or maybe working nights at a CASINO... It is nice to have places doing displays over the entire weekend. Before the 4th of July. I do not live in Lee's Summit but was looking for a Display on Friday Night to take my 9 year old son. Friday is the only Night I have off to take him somewhere. 98.9% of the Great KC population (I am sure) feel the same way. Thanks again for a Celebration and Display that will work for my family to see. HAPPY and SAFE 4th of July to your City.

I too appreciate the advance celebration as many have said to permit us to spend the 4th with our families and because I too usually have to work the next day. Holidays can get so hectic when you try to cram everything into one day - this makes the celebration of our country's independence all the more special and exciting. I'm proud to live in a city that offers so many options for its residents.

@Jodi Bell, I also LOVE the fact that the display is NOT actually on the 4th, it allows my family to celebrate Independence day for more than just ONE day. We will be celebrating on the 1st at Legacy Park, on the 2nd at Powell Gardens and on the 4th at home...LOVE IT! Also, it seems more beneficial for a Friday night display for most of us who are off work on Saturdays! I really enjoyed your post that points out the other benefits as well...saving the city money and better utilizing the personnel from LSPD and LSFD is definately a bonus in my book! Thanks!

Took my kids to the Friday fireworks last year and we all LOVED it! I think it allows our family to start celebrating our country's Independence for the entire weekend, with even more opportunity to talk with my kids about the importance of freedom and the cost of freedom.

This will definitely be a new tradition for our family. Thanks, Lee's Summit, and Happy Independence Day to all!!

I am SO HAPPY Lee's Summit does their fireworks on Friday night. Instead of celebrating only one day it gives us a chance to celebrate ALL weekend!! My entire family love this!! YAY!!

THANK YOU LEES SUMMIT FOR MAKING IT ABLE FOR ALL OF US TO SEE THE SHOW ESPECIALLY THE ONES WHO WERE UNABLE TO MAKE IT ON THE 4th IN THE PAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just found this article about Friday fireworks - I don't feel it's disrepectful to the holiday & all it stands for - at least Lee's Summit can still afford in this economy to do something to celebrate it! As someone who is concerned about house fires, I stay home on the 4th to watch somebody doesn't end up starting my home on fire with their high airborne illegal fireworks. Kills me that they know not to do it over their house but will do it over someone else's.

The men and women of the Armed Forces at Whiteman Air Force Base will be celebrating the 4th of July by watching the fireworks display on base Friday, 1 July as well. I do not think it is their intent to slight their fellow service members sacrifices by having their fireworks display on 1 July instead of 4 July, do you?

I think the decision to have this celebration on a Friday night is great. jbell, thanks for the detail explanation concerning the decision. Personally, I appreciate that the city of Lee’s Summit, is being frugal with our money.

Something I would like to point out is that since the recession started in 2008 unlike other cities, Lee's Summit never ceased to provide the fireworks display for us. Thank you so much.

The fireworks from a distance were quite beautiful. I'd like to note that the police officers directing traffic on Colbern and Todd George need to be retrained on traffic control. You do not point a flashlight into on-coming vehichles and yell GO, this is not proper technique.

Actually, the REAL reason Legacy Blast is on not on July 4th is because the City doesn't want to pay the big bucks for a premium fireworks display. Fireworks display companies will typically charge a minimum of $25,000 for a short, and sparse, display on July 4th. To get a really awesome display on the 4th means spending $25,000+. On the other hand, the City chooses to spend less money for a boring, drawn-out display a couple days early. It's not that there is anything wrong with having it on another day, just don't be fooled by the excuses.

http://handsontheheartland.com/2011/07/04/kansas-citys-2011-independence-day-fireworks-celebrations/

I'm really annoyed that we missed the fireworks!! For people who didn't know about the weird date you guys chose it kinda ruins the 4th, not sure that that was considered at all. Luckily I was told by a friend that we missed it..because now we'll be headed to Blue springs where fireworks are done ON THE 4TH! Glad I didn't sit waiting for the show...we woud've been Ticked..not to mention the kids :( thanks

I think that it is a good idea, for the reasons stated. I also think a great idea would be to tell more people about exactly when. We missed it because we did not know anything about this.