Kearney, Nebraska Has Grand Fireworks Display

Kearney, Nebraska has one of the best Independence Day fireworks displays in the state. For weeks leading up to Independence Day, the fireworks display extravaganza makes the news. Not only is the display itself news until after the July 4th celebration, but also is the encouragement to donate for the display. Several local organizations sponsor the fireworks display extravaganza, though donations from individuals help keep Kearney's fireworks display returning year after year.

When our children were growing up, it wasn't easy to get to the fireworks display, then at the fairgrounds in North Kearney. My husband usually didn't get home from work until around 9 pm. By then every artery to the fairgrounds was crammed with vehicles, driven by people bent on celebration.

If we did get on the grounds, finding a location where our children were safe and could see the fireworks display was a bit of a problem. Yet, the times we went with friends, when the Independence Day celebration fell on a day my husband didn't work, the difficulties were worth the effort. While the aerial fireworks display could be seen for miles, only those at the location could see the magnificent ground displays that led up to the aerial fireworks.

One year, the kids and I waited for Keith to get home so we could head to the fairgrounds. Only work didn't cooperate and he was late getting home. The kids still wanted to go even though the celebration had already begun, so we hopped into the car and headed north. By then we could see the aerial part of the fireworks display had already begun. In fact, as we went over the quiet overpass the view of the fireworks display was terrific. The overpass was high, free of cars and people and we decided, Why not. Turning around we parked our car and sat by the railing, enjoying the display as a family.

But, we weren't the only ones from South Kearney late going North. A few minutes after we settled in, my brother and sister-in-law zoomed over the overpass, saw us and slowed. They saw what we saw, turned around, parked their car and joined us for one of the best fireworks displays, with the least amount of hassle, we've ever seen.

Today, the fireworks display has moved South to the First Tier Event Center, which has the room and parking needed for a fireworks display that draws families from all over the area. But there is one huge difference between Kearney's fireworks display celebration for Independence Day and other city celebrations. Kearney's tradition is to hold it's fireworks display on July 3rd , not July 4th.

Why? If the weather is bad, there is a built in rain date. It also allows families July 4th to celebrate together, often with the city celebration on the 3rd to kick off Independence Day.

Kearney is definitely a place to be to celebrate Independence Day.