Cautious cities are already canceling July Fourth events over coronavirus outbreak

The Fourth of July is not for three months, but events associated with the federal holiday are already being canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In the past 10 days, at least a half dozen Independence Day events have been scrapped across the nation, from Redwood City, California, to Southport, North Carolina, to Ithaca, New York.

In each case, apologetic community leaders have cited the risk of people possibly being infected by a virus that has killed more than 91,000 people worldwide, based on April 9 data from Johns Hopkins University.

Some of the canceled events date back more than 225 years.

“The July 4th Celebration in Southport has been an iconic event for over 200 years,” Southport Mayor Joseph Hatem said in a Facebook post.

“It is my recommendation during this COVID-19 Pandemic that ... this celebration of independence and freedom be canceled to assist in stopping the spread of this contagious disease. This was a difficult decision, but the most prudent one and will ... save lives.”

Among the biggest casualties so far is the Fair Saint Louis, which announced April 3 it was canceling “America’s Biggest Birthday Party.” The three-day event attracted 250,000 people last year, KMOV.com reports.

The cancellations have included festivals, parades and fireworks displays — anything that might prompt people to violate stay-at-home orders or recommendations against crowds of 10 or more people gathering.

Optimists have been quick to criticize cancellations, believing things surely will be better by July.

“Absolutely stupid by doing so this early,” Derrick Niloff wrote on Facebook after Crown Point, Indiana, announced it was canceling its Fourth of July celebration. “Could very well have been what everyone needed just to get out after dealing with all this stress. But hey, do whatever anyways. It’s only over 3 months away!”

“Why not wait and see if things clear up by then? Why not have a more positive outlook on things?” posted Ally Hayes on the Facebook page. “Maybe it might not be the best celebration, but to go and CANCEL this event MONTHS in advance is certainly depressing.”

In some cases, the festivals are being canceled early to avoid investing money in an event that may not happen, organizers say. Southport, 160 miles southeast of Raleigh, said it was canceling all Summer events through Labor Day. That’s Sept. 7.

Organizers of the Crown Point parade explained in a Facebook post that money for their annual affair is often provided by local businesses, many of which are now closed due to the pandemic.

“We must be responsible ... and avoid costly penalties and cancellation fees,” the parade committee posted. “Remember, this parade is funded by community businesses as well as donations.”

This story was originally published April 9, 2020 at 4:14 PM with the headline "Cautious cities are already canceling July Fourth events over coronavirus outbreak."