The Valley Falls Chamber of Commerce will commence its annual fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. Thursday, July 4, with some changes from the original plan. As the hayfield has yet to be hayed, the fireworks will now be set up south of Rush Ballfield, in the tree park. Event organizers advise attendees will not be able to park along the curve on Maple Street around the ballfield, and there will be limited parking on Sycamore, as 600 feet of clearance are required around the display area. There will also be no seating allowed on the ballfield itself. In the case the event is rained out, the display will be rescheduled to the same time, same place Friday, July 5.
While the Chamber of Commerce sponsors the fireworks show with donations given by local businesses, individuals, and City Hall, it wouldn’t be possible without Scott Heinen and his band of volunteers.
His team of 10 to 12 community members help to set up the fireworks display each year and it generally takes four of them to shoot them off, with one in charge of a small front display, and three more manning the large display in the back.
Heinen is licensed to lead the group, having obtained a pyrotechnic certification which he is required to renew every few years. He has been helping with the display for over 40 years. He started out helping his dad, Paul Heinen, and buddies Clarke Davis and Robert Wilson out with the event in the 1970s.
“I started out helping for the joy and fun of it,” Heinen said. “All these years later, it more or less has become my contribution to the community. I still enjoy it, but some years are more difficult to work out the logistics than others.”
This year, more than $5,000 worth of fireworks have been procured from a fireworks warehouse out of St. Joseph, Mo., for the occasion. Heinen anticipates the display will last a total of 30 minutes.
If you’re interested in joining his team for next year, reach out at (785)640-3700.