Community Corner

July 4th Fireworks, Parade Canceled In Annapolis

City officials worked with parade and fireworks organizers to make the decision.

City offices will be closed in recognition of Independence Day on July 3.
City offices will be closed in recognition of Independence Day on July 3. (Photo Courtesy of Rick Uldricks)

ANNAPOLIS, MD — There will not be a Fourth of July parade and fireworks show in Annapolis this year. City officials decided to cancel both holiday events due to the coronavirus pandemic. The decision was made in consultation with parade and fireworks organizers. City offices will be closed in recognition of Independence Day on July 3.

“It isn’t prudent to move forward with an expensive production when we likely won’t be able to have large gatherings at that point in time,” said city manager David Jarrell in a statement. “We needed to make a decision because the ordering of fireworks and the barge takes place months before the event.”

As of Thursday morning, Anne Arundel County has a total of 3,132 positive new coronavirus cases, an increase of 99 cases from the day prior, according to the Anne Arundel County Department of Health, and 139 deaths, an increase of two deaths from the previous day. The state has 43,531 confirmed cases, an increase of 1,208 cases from the day prior, and 2,045 deaths total, reports the Maryland Department of Health. More than 7,485 people have been hospitalized.

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The 2020 Memorial Day Parade in Annapolis has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and Gov. Larry Hogan's statewide restriction on large public gatherings. The annual wreath-laying ceremony at Susan Campbell Park has been canceled, too. Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley asks residents to use the time instead to think about those who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country.

"We may not be able to gather together in the way we usually do, but we can take this time to be honor those and be grateful for the willingness of previous generations to think and act in a selfless way," Buckley said in a statement.

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