Due to anticipated wind concerns, there won’t be fireworks at the end of Saturday’s Easter Egg Hunt festivities sponsored by the Great Bend Recreation Commission.

The Great Bend City Council ended an 11-minute special meeting beginning at noon Wednesday with a split-vote denial among members present, of the Rec Commission’s proposal to have a 7-minute fireworks show at the end of its annual Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt at the Great Bend Sports Complex. Following statements and council questions to Rec Director Chris Umphres and Megan Hammeke, Rec Aquatic, Enrichment and Marketing Director; and Great Bend Fire Chief Brent Smith, the council voted 3-2 among members present against the proposal. Council members Shelly Peacock and Kevyn Soupiset voted to approve the fireworks; council members Davis Jimenez, Jay Luerman, and Shelly Arnberger voted against.

Umphres noted that the Egg Hunt events have been held by the Rec for the past three years, with the fireworks added for the past two years, adding the events will go on Saturday with or without fireworks depending upon council approval.

“This is fourth year we’ve done this,” Umphres said. “We get about 400 kids there, then parents come on top of that. We break it up, use the whole complex, then we’ve added the fireworks the last three years. The three years we’ve done it we’ve had very good results every time they’re there.”

Hammeke responded to a question from Councilmember Jimenez as to why approval was being sought three days before the event.  She explained that the intention was to have the council consider the proposal earlier, but the March 16 meeting was cancelled due to a lack of quorum.

Councilmember Arnberger noted that she appreciated the event proximity. “I like that it’s now, because 90 days ago we wouldn’t have been able to know that we are in a severe fire issue,” she said. “I just am concerned with the fire danger right now.”

Chief Smith said winds of 15 miles per hour are expected for Saturday, with gusts up to 25 miles per hour. Given the height of the fireworks – approximately 300 feet – there is an expectation of fire, he said.

“The grass has caught on fire every year. It will catch on fire this year; there’s no doubt in my mind. The fireworks don’t go up high enough, it’s more of a ground display, so there will be sparks on the ground and there’s no doubt we will catch the grass on fire. If you guys approve it, I’ll just make sure I have enough people there to hopefully handle the situation.”

Smith also said surrounding property would likely not be impacted by a contained fire spread, and that he was comfortable his department could handle the situation as long as call volumes around the rest of the city were manageable.

Smith also reported a good relationship with Victory Pyrotechnics & Special Effects LLC, the company handling the fireworks. In the event fire staff was called away, he could place a call and get the fireworks stopped immediately.

 The Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt, for ages 3-12, will still go on Saturday at 9 p.m. The hunt will be divided by age brackets. The gate opens at 8:30 p.m., and there is a $5 fee per child.