Crawford County Commission
Week of June 12, 2026
Camptown Event Center prepares for massive fireworks event
Kansas Republican Party to hold Summer Convention at Camptown Event Center
Crawford County Commission anticipates major changes to renewable energy zoning
1. Camptown Event Center prepares for massive fireworks event
CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — Organizers and sponsors for the upcoming Million Dollar Fireworks Festival — including Crossland Construction, Watco Companies, and Jake's Fireworks — updated the commission on their preparations for the July 25 event celebrating America's 250th anniversary at the Camptown Event Center in Frontenac. Representatives anticipate a crowd of up to 50,000 people, noting that area hotels and campgrounds are already completely booked, and requested assistance with road closures to manage an expected 15,000 vehicles. The massive fireworks display is expected to be unprecedented for the area, with organizers estimating the cost at $35,000 per minute for a 30-minute show.
2. Kansas Republican Party to hold Summer Convention at Camptown Event Center
CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — The Kansas Republican Party will hold its 2026 Summer Convention at the newly renovated Camptown Event Center. The event is expected to draw elected delegates from across Kansas, along with various visitors and VIPs, to discuss the upcoming election and utilize the upgraded venue.
3. Crawford County Commission anticipates major changes to renewable energy zoning
CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. — The Crawford County Commission, comprising Commissioners Bruce Blair, Carl Wood, and Tom Moody, acknowledged the need for comprehensive updates to the county's zoning regulations to address an influx of renewable energy projects, including wind and solar farms, as well as data centers. During public comment, local landowner Rick Elnicki, who is involved in a proposed solar project with Shasta Power, alleged that setback requirements are uneven — claiming some projects face 300-foot setbacks while others face 1,000 feet — and argued there is a lack of noise regulations for solar inverters and battery storage sites compared to wind turbines. County officials assured the public that the Crawford County Planning and Zoning Board's eventual recommendations will be thoroughly reviewed to protect local infrastructure and maintain fair regulations across all industries, while also noting that zoning meeting information currently posted on the county website may soon expand to community Facebook pages to broaden public notice.
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