Government associations in central Ohio are recommending the cancellation or postponement of Fourth of July fireworks displays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to an announcement of the Central Ohio Mayors and Managers Association, their organization – comprised of 19 cities within the Columbus region – teamed up with the 17-member Franklin County Township Association in the recommendation.
As of Friday, 10TV has learned these central Ohio communities have responded with the following updates:
- Bexley — Says the city is working on alternatives for July 4, saying "none of the large scale community events will be happening in the form they have been in the past."
- Canal Winchester — Says the city does not Independence Day celebrations, but is part of COMMA.
- Delaware — No decision as of May 8. Leaders “are still discussing July 4 events and will take the recommendation from COMMA into consideration.”
- Dublin — Independence Day activities canceled/fireworks postponed to a later date to be determined.
- Gahanna — Fourth of July events postponed. Fireworks display rescheduled for Labor Day weekend. Fourth of July Parade canceled, though options are being explored to reschedule this year.
- Hilliard — Parade will not be held on July 4. Attempting to reschedule fireworks display for later in 2020.
- New Albany — Postponing traditional Independence Day events, including parade and festival and evening fireworks. New Albany's Symphony 5K run will be a virtual event. Details on that can be found here.
- Pickerington — As of May 8, has not announced any decisions on the city's celebration.
- Powell — Does not hold a Fourth of July celebration, but says city leaders are discussing plans for the annual Powell Festival held the last weekend in June each year. That meeting will take place May 19.
- Reynoldsburg — City will not hold its traditional Fourth of July events scheduled for July 3. Exploring feasibility of fireworks later in the year.
- Westerville — Fourth of July celebration canceled, but is working with Rotary Club of Westerville to consider if a celebration later this year is feasible.
- Worthington — Worthington Fourth of July Family Picnic and Fireworks postponed for 2020. Tentative contingency plans include moving the celebration and fireworks to Labor Day weekend.
- Upper Arlington — No large-scale festival and fireworks at Northam Park on July 4. Also looking at ways to safely celebrate on that date and what options would be feasible for celebrations at a later date.
The announcement follows the cancellation of the Red, White & BOOM! fireworks celebration scheduled for July 3 in downtown Columbus.
The decision from COMMA and FCTA was preferred, according to the announcement, due to the fear that some municipalities and townships would continue with planned activities and people from outside communities would gather there.
“We all agree that it is in our region’s best interests if we are united in this unfortunate but appropriate decision,” said Chet Chaney, Perry Township Trustee and President of the Franklin County Township Association. “This policy recommendation supports the foundation of good public health policy and provides clarity regarding traditional community event planning for this very special and patriotic holiday.”
Whitehall Mayor Kim Maggard says they don’t foresee the social distancing requirements in the state begin reduced enough by early July to allow for those gatherings.
The organizations say the decision is a recommendation but the decision on each community’s fireworks celebrations or other special events is up to them and their organizational partners.
COMMA is comprised 19 cities: Bexley, Canal Winchester, Columbus, Delaware, Dublin, Gahanna, Grandview Heights, Grove City, Hilliard, Lancaster, Marysville, New Albany, Pickerington, Powell, Reynoldsburg, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Whitehall and Worthington.
FCTA is made up of trustees and fiscal officers from Franklin County's 17 townships and more than 125 associate members comprised of township administrators, staff, and interested parties.
