Celebrate Fourth of July with Fireworks Display from ESU's Welch Stadium
Emporia, KS (06/29/2026) — Emporia State University invites the public to campus on Saturday, July 4, to watch the community fireworks display.
Gates open at 8:30 p.m July 4, on the west side of Welch Stadium on the Emporia State University campus. The City of Emporia fireworks display begins between 9:45 and 10 p.m.
Seating is available in the west side chairs and bleachers or on blankets on the football field. Chairs of any kind, along with sunflower seeds and gum are prohibited on Jones Field and Witten Track to help preserve the playing surface.
Outside the stadium, viewing for the fireworks is also available on the ESU practice fields on the north end of campus. (The nearby soccer pitch will be closed to the public.)
The fireworks display, shot from the soccer fields north of Interstate 35, lasts approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Parking is available across campus. The two parking lots across Highland Street from the art annex are available for handicapped parking and viewing. To view a map of parking for the event, go to emporia.link/fireworks.
For those wanting to make a longer celebration that evening, tailgating is available in ESU parking lots beginning at 7 p.m. Neither alcohol nor personal fireworks are allowed on campus. Special containers will be available to dispose of hot coals.
About Emporia State University
Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, Library and Information Management and Library and Archives, Science and Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.
ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.
For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.
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Emporia State University
Gwendolynne Larson, ESU director of media relations, (620) 341-5528, glarson1@emporia.eduShare this Story
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