The Sedalia Parks and Recreation Department will be taking over 4th of July fireworks duties in the city.

The Sedalia Park Board decided to take on the duties after the Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce recently stepped away from the event.

Sedalia Parks and Recreation Director, Amy Epple, said the board will take the lead on keeping the fireworks at the State Fairgrounds.

Epple emphasized that organization and event planning will have to be a community effort.

The estimated cost for the July 4th celebration is $12,000 - $15,000. That estimate includes more than just the cost of the fireworks. It also includes cost for the annual Independence Day celebration at Centennial Park, which the Parks Dept. already hosts.

Epple noted that Centennial Pool would be open for the celebration, as well.

Sedalia Mayor Stephen Galliher was in attendance at Thursday night’s meeting and thanked the Park board for taking on the July 4th duties, saying it would be “bigger and better!”

The organization will be responsible for raising the funds. Money for the event could be raised through sponsorships and donations, but specifics were not immediately available. The Sedalia Park Board will discuss the matter further at the January 2018 meeting.

The board also heard a brief update on capital improvements concerning Vermont Park.

The recent Vermont Park face-lift was budgeted for $875,000. The board says the project came in under-budget, with $710,000 spent. Epple noted the swing sets at Vermont Park still need to be replaced, with the new sets going in during the spring.

Randy Kirby
Randy Kirby
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