Kansas City’s Stars and Stripes event is ready to go, rain or shine

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Fireworks on Picnic with the stars and stripes will light up the downtown night sky – it’s the official spectacle of the city of Kansas City.

For 100 years, Kansas City-based fireworks team Wald and Company has been lighting up the night sky, and this year, they’re back on the South Lawn, ready to do it better than ever before.

“It’s always the challenge to make sure it’s better than the last time. So we’re always striving to be a better company in how we do it,” Bill Wald said.

The show lasts more than 10 minutes. The finale alone lasts two minutes.

Bill Wald, the man in charge of the operation, says the number of shells fired in the finale is about the same as in the other 10 minutes of the show.

But it’s more than just fireworks.

“We bring the community together in a fun atmosphere, we have music, food and everyone talks to each other – one big family,” said one attendee.

“This is the event that everyone looks forward to,” said Karis Erwin of the National World War I Museum and Memorial.

With music, over 20 local vendors, children’s activities and more, there is something everyone in the community can enjoy.

The fun doesn’t stop there in Prairie Village, as the town’s festival gathers Thursday, with organizers not caring what Mother Nature would do, determined to let the show go on.

“It’s fantastic, I love the Fourth of July, I love seeing everyone out with all the kids, all the activities we have going on – like I say, all we need is a nice day,” said JD Kinney of the Town of Prairie Village.