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University Daily Kansan
Independence Days
Wednesday, July 2, 1986
Birthday party to honor Kansas, U.S.
Carlin to be joined by 'first governor'
Charles Higginson plays Gov. Charles Robinson
He is a mail carrier most of the time, but on Sunday this man will become the first governor of Kansas as part of the Independence Days
By Brenda Flory
Staff writer
Lawrence resident Charles Higginson will portray Gov. Charles Robinson, Kansas' first governor in 1861, and one of the state's 125th anniversary.
But he won't be the only governor at the festival. Gov. John Carlin will speak after Higginson about "The Future of Kansas."
Higginson will talk about the historical aspects of Kansas during the two years Robinson was governor. He will also speak about the future of Kansas as seen through Robinson's eyes, Higginson said.
"We are trying to create the excitement that existed at those times," Higginson said. "We want to make the festival unique.
Higginson began research for the speech in February and has worked on the project ever since. He said it was a challenge taking 19th-century language and molding it to today's language.
“It's neat to bring to life the heritage that we Kansans have.”
Higginson used Robinson's opening address to the first session of the Kansas Legislature as a framework for the speech he will give Sunday.
A number of sources were needed to get an idea of what Robinson's character was like and the kinds of things he was concerned with, Higginson said.
He also used a scrapbook that Robinson's wife made of newspaper clippings about her husband and some of the many letters to the editor Robinson wrote explaining his feelings, views on life in biographies and obituaries with descriptions of Robinson to get a feel for the type of man he was.
Robinson took part in organizing a new government for Kansas, and he talked of the need for cooperation within the state, Higginson said. Robinson was also a strong advocate for a railroad system in Lawrence.
"Independence Days is an excellent time where Kansans can learn more about the heritage of their state," Higginson said.
Higginson played the part of Robinson last year at the festival, but said the content of his speech had more to do with how important it is important in Kansas' early years.
"He was an extremely moral man," Higginson said. "He was described by other people as being a puritan.
"He was a defender of the common man. I found this to be interesting, considering Robinson was a major property owner in Lawrence."
Higginson graduated from the University of Kansas in 1972 with a degree in radio, television and film.
As part of his acting hobby, he has had experience with the Seem To Be Players of Lawrence.
"I enjoy getting in front of people," he said. "When I was first confronted with this idea, it sounded intriguing and fun."
After Higginson talks about what Robinson's thoughts were on Kansas' future, Carlin will build upon those ideas by discussing what has happened in Kansas for the past few years, and to Diarza Prentice, assistant to the governor.
She said Carlin would talk about how Kansas had overcome adversity by learning to cooperate. The lines that normally divide people have diminished, she said.
Carlin will paint a picture of the future, which he thinks will be a bright one. He will discuss the need for risk-taking, such as raising taxes, and the need to continue emphasizing education, she said.
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DoBs 'boo' will cost 50 cents for five throws. Contestants can try to hit playing cards that are attached to a target. If the contestant splits the card and the tomahawk sticks, that results in a win free dog bud, DoBs said.
Dubois became interested in the sport about four years ago and said that tomahawk throwing was a sport he had learned of, but it also had a historical background.
had notaken seats.
"It is the same sport started by Indians to practice before going to war," he said.
Independence Days also will offer a variety of craft exhibitions. Spectators can watch many demonstrations from broaching the art world, observing to china painting. Wright said the number of participants had grown each year.
One craft exhibitor is Jim Peterson, 2131 Rhode Island St. Peterson will have a booth with primitive and country furniture.
"It's furniture based on patterns and motifs found in real American
or Peterson's furniture is made of white pine and is for sale. This Peterson's first year with a booth in the showroom, he has attended all four festivals.
colonial times," Peterson said. "It's not the artificial stuff."
Peterson said the festival had a lot to offer everyone and that it was refreshing.
The booth is open to anyone except for small children, DuBois said.
"Seeing the wealth of talent and creativity in this area is great," he said.
Lee Kotkis, who will play his folk acoustic guitar, is making a return appearance to Kansas. Kotkie will be performing on the Riverfront Stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Kotkie has taken 15 albums in his 15 year career.
Asleep at the Wheel, a swing band, will perform after Kottke. The band began a national tour yesterday in Nashville, Tenn. and will perform at the Farm Aid II concert in Austin, Tx. on July 4.
Also featured at this year's festival will be some top musical groups.
Partv to reach to Clinton shores
By DeAnn Thomas
The corporation received help this year through corporate sponsors
Staff writer
Saman Wainwright
Lawrence residents who want an alternative to the Independence Days festival, but who aren't able to venture out of town, have a variety of activities to choose from.
the staff at Clinton Marina and who rent dock spaces at the lake will sponsor "The Lady's Parade" at 4 p. m. Friday at Clinton Lake. John Porter, assistant manager at the marina, said last
Porter said a committee was trying to get a 15-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty to be placed on the
The parade will start at Rock Creek beach, pass through the Bloomington beach area and end with whirls circling the harbor at the marina.
breakwaters in the harbor.
u the replica is unavailable, the committee will get a girl to dress like the statue and greet the boats as they come into the harbor. Porter said.
Porter said it would be the first parade at Clinton Lake. The idea was proposed by the social committee, which is made up of the staff and sloop renters. Though the committee does not expect to get much community participation this year, the event may be geared for bigger crowds next year if the idea catches on, he said.
"It's a spirit competition where you get all boaters together and decorate the boats with flags and banners and have music," he said.
There is no registration or fee, and those interested need only to decorate the boats with flags and
banners in accordance with the liber ty theme, Porter said.
Porter said the boats would be judged for showing the best Independence Day spirit. The winners will receive two tickets to the buffet dinner to be held after the parade, he said.
The buffet dinner at the marina
the restaurant will be $6.95 a person.
A free keg of beer will be provided by
the restaurant's music and a
fireworks are planned.
Other activities offered at Clinton Lake are sailboat regatta races, which will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday. These races are limited to cruise sailboats.
The races are sanctioned by the U.S. Yacht Racing Union. Those interested who are not already
registered with Clinton Marina can participate in all three races by paying a $25 fee.
Another alternative to the Independence Days festival is a tennis tournament, which will be held at the Lawrence Tennis Center, 840 W. 21st
The tournament is open to all ages and begins at 8 a.m., Saturday. The deadline for entry is today.
Bob Zimmerman, director of the tournament, said entry forms were available at the Parks and Recreation Center general office, Sixth and Massachusetts streets; Coast to Coast Hardware Stores, 1832 Massachusetts St.; Morris Sports, 1016 Massachusetts St.; Alvamar Tennis & Swim Club, 4120 Clinton Parkway, and the tennis center.
Staff writer
By Evan Walter
K.C., Topeka plan sparkling events
Lavish fireworks displays and musical concerts will be among the highlights of Fourth of July festivals in Kansas City, Mo., and Topeka this
The Kansas City Spirit Festival '16 will feature three days of activities and events and three nights of entertainment and fireworks
The park area around Liberty Memorial will be the festival grounds from Thursday to Saturday. Admission is $2.
In Topeka, the "Go 4th" celebration will last from Friday to Sunday on the southern edge of the Washburn university campus.
The Topeka event is free to the public.
The Spirit Festival will feature
music groups Destiny and Poco and performers Dave Mason and Johnny Rivers for Thursday night; jazz group Poppin Frost, and pianist Jay McShannon and the Kansas City Symphony with conductor William McGlaughlin on Friday night; and Lupe, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and David Clayton Thomas on Saturday night.
"The festival has about ten charitable organizations that will derive $200,000 combined from the festival," Tim Leiwake, co-chairman of the Spirit Festival, said Monday. The festival is essentially non-profit.
About 170 different clubs and organizations will contribute to the festival in Topeka, and concessions and games will be available. Gov. John Carlin will make a special appearance between 7 and 8:30 p.m.
riday night, said Tom Ellis, director of Memorial Union Operations at Washburn.
The second event will be the Fourth of July show, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. It will feature entertainers and performances by the winners of the talent competition in the Sky, a music and fireworks display, starting at 9:30 p.m.
"It's actually two events," Ellis said. "One is a community free-fair that lasts all day long featuring non-profit community organizations."
"The big fireworks display is different from others." Ellis said. "This one is choreographed to music. The whole show will last about 20 minutes."
Ellis said that during the Concert in the Sky the fireworks would explode in the skyry with the taped
"A company is hired that is expert," Ells said. "They've got an international business — fireworks fired by computers. Everything is wired, and a computer fires everything according to the tape."
music, which is all operated by computers.
Ellis said that based on figures from last year, he expected 30,000 fireworks during the day and between 70,000 to 90,000 at night for the fireworks show.
"We've never had problems with crowd control" Ellis said. "It's a family crowd.
Organizers also have planned safety precautions, including Red Cross field first aid units.
Last year's Spirit Festival attracted about 750,000 people for three nights, but Leiweke said he was expecting between 400,000 to 700,000.
Fireworks can be safe, say health, fire officials
By Evan Walter Staff writer
Start Write
"WARNING: Place on hard surface. Light fuse. Run away."
Those typical directions from fireworks manufacturers may seem obvious to some, but each company still firework-related injuries.
Although fireworks usually don't create major fires or injuries, measures can be taken to prevent them. Barr. Lawrence fire marshal.
"Most accidents are generally minor," he said, "but the potential is there. We have had problems with aerial displays."
Barr said he had no statistics on the number of firework-related injuries from last year.
Nancy Miller, spokesman for the University of Kansas Medical Center, has already two people in the year with injuries from fireworks.
One of those injured was trying to build his own fireworks.
In 1985, there was one injury reported, and four were reported for 1984. Miller said.
Children suffer more injuries from the improper handling of fireworks than adults. The injuries usually occur when the child handles the fireworks without adult supervision, Roy Allen, public education specialist for the fire department, said.
"In the past, there have been several problems because of misuse, and because no one was trained for the kids in training." Allen said.
Barr said people who planned to
use fireworks for the Fourth of July should follow some general rules of safety.
They should always follow manufacturers' recommendations, and children using fireworks and adult having an adult present. Barr said.
Users should place the fireworks on stable, flat surfaces to prevent them from tipping over. People who have houses with wooden shims should avoid the exterior walls should minimize the use of aerial displays, he said.
In addition, people having fireworks displays should moisten the ground before igniting the fireworks. Fire extinguisher or putting of putting fires quickly, should be easily available, he said.
Miller, giving information provided from Mani Mani, director of the Burn Unit at the Med Center, said that if someone's clothes caught on fire, the correct procedure was to stop, drop and roll.
"Fall to the ground and roll," she said. "Roll slowly. Don't panic and run. Stop, drop and roll. Then water on it as soon as possible."
Allen said, "Supervision — that would be my big one. Use firewires in a safe manner and in a safe place. Please don't use a match." He don't use a match.
Fireworks dealers sell the lighting sources, such as "punks," which Allen has suggested people use.
Barr said people should limit the fireworks they used at home to ground displays and sparklers.
avcees shoot the works at river
By Brenda Florv
Staff writer
Staff writer
Sam White
The night of the Fourth of July will contain something new for Lawrence residents.
Doyl Merz is in charge of launching the fireworks. He said last week that the display over the river would be one of the most actions of the fireworks on the water.
Lawrence Jaycees will present their annual fireworks display along the banks of the Kansas River in Burke Stadium, the site of the past displays.
The show will begin with the national anthem and a fireworks display in the shape of the American flag, Merz said. Another ground display will be in the form of Nigra Falls. Merz said that he was working on getting the display to flow into the river when it was set off. These will be the only ground displays. The rest will be aerial.
"It's just the thing to help kick off the Independence Days festival," he said.
The Jaycees have done the fireworks display in Lawrence for 31 years, but this year the group has joined an Independence Days coordinator.
Wright said that she had no idea how much revenue the festival would bring. Last year was the only year the event made money. The event was able to pay for its budget, which was about $75,000, and enough revenue was left to get the event started again this year.
In the past, the public had to buy separate tickets for Independence Days and for the fireworks display, but Wright said that the two groups wanted to offer both events in one ticket.
"One hundred shots will be set off at once," he said. "It's a big ending."
"We just thought it would be great for the fireworks display to open the festival," Wright said. "It just hap- tened that our Fourth was on a convenient day."
Judy Wight, Independence Days coordinator, said the two organizations combined their activities this because July Fourth was on Friday.
The fireworks display will take an hour and will begin at dusk on Friday. Gates open to Independence Days at 6 p.m.
Rod Heine, president of the Jaycees, said they decided to work with Independence Days not only
because they had been asked by the group, but also because the Jaycees would benefit financially.
The Jayees' expenses have risen the past few years, Heine said. Last year the fireworks display cost about $7,000. This year the cost is about $7,000.
The cost was reduced by several factors, he said.
when the fireworks were at the stadium, the Jaycees also had to rent the stadium, and pay for fire protection, parking and security, he said.
By becoming a part of the overall Independence Days festival, festival sponsors will pay for the fireworks. The advertising costs are also reduced because the Jayces don't have to advertise separately.
The Jaycees is an organization for persons between the ages of 18 and 35 that develops community leadership training. They work with several groups, such as Families Together and support programs for the handicapped.
Heine said that if the fireworks display was successful, they would probably do the show on the river again next year.
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