Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Coronavirus spoils Fourth of July fireworks
FORT LAUDERDALE — In a year when everything has been turned upside down, our nationwide observance of freedom is next.
In previous years, thousands of people across the nation have gathered on the Fourth of July to stare at a sky lit up by fireworks. This year, those kind of supersized crowds could allow the coronavirus to spread even more.
And that’s why so many cities have canceled this year’s fireworks shows.
“It was the concern over the threat of what’s called a super spreader event,” Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy said of his city’s decision to skip the fireworks. “Thirty thousand people close together, even outdoors, is not a safe or responsible thing for a government to coordinate. We were all resigned to recognize the risk of the virus and found ourselves with no choice.”
Florida has been hit with
a month-long climb in COVID-19 cases. On Tuesday, the state added 3,286 new coronavirus cases, bringing the number of people who’ve tested positive since the pandemic began to 103,503. Of those, at least 3,331 people have died, including 93 from outside the state.
“We were all torn about it,” Deerfield Beach Mayor Bill Ganz said. “No one wanted to see the fireworks go away. It’s an American tradition to have fireworks on the Fourth of July. But we are dealing with the pandemic [and] we had over 90,000 people attend last year’s event.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends having no more than 50 people at gatherings.
Even in cities where the show will go on, the coronavirus has forced big changes.
Fort Lauderdale, Plantation and West Palm Beach want people to stay at home to watch scaled-back fireworks shows. People can show up for the shortened 10-minute show at the Margate Sports Complex, but they will need to stay in their cars.
“Everyone was canceling but us,” Margate Mayor Tommy Ruzzano said. “I’m glad to see Fort Lauderdale is going through with it too. Margate is patriotic and big on veterans.”
Even the location is secret in at least two cities. Plantation and West Palm Beach aren’t telling the public where their fireworks shows are being held.
If anyone tries to guess where it is and they get it right, they’ll likely run into the police, Plantation Council President Nick Sortal said.
Plantation had already paid for the fireworks, so officials decided to go on with the show.
“I’ve picked up a prevailing feeling that they appreciate having a moment of normalcy,” Sortal said.
But there will be no fireworks in Boca Raton this year.
“Even if they have an undisclosed location, people will find it and make their way there,” Councilman Andy Thomson said. “Fireworks
are meant to be seen. They’re an attraction. But it makes it difficult to socially distance.”
Fort Lauderdale normally has a big show at A1A and Las Olas Boulevard but is planning four smaller displays this year.
Fort Lauderdale officials are telling residents to stay home and take in the show from their front porches, balconies and backyards.
“You never need to leave your house,” Mayor Dean Trantalis said. “This is a chance for people to feel good about themselves and the country and still enjoy the holiday while social distancing. We don’t want to be hiding in our homes when we can be in the fresh outdoors at our home and still enjoying the holiday.”
Fireworks will be launched at 9 p.m. at Holiday Park at U.S. 1 and Sunrise Boulevard; City Hall at Andrews Avenue and Northeast First Street; Carter Park at Northwest 16th Avenue and Sunrise Boulevard; and the Beach Community Center at State Road A1A and
Oakland Park Boulevard.
Police officers will be out on patrol in each city, making sure no crowds form.
Vice Mayor Steve Glassman argued it made more sense to skip the fireworks altogether this year.
“Instead of one big spectacular show on the beach, we’re going to have four dinky ones,” said Glassman, a vocal critic of the plan.
People are going to come in droves to see the fireworks in Fort Lauderdale even though they’ve been told to stay home, Glassman predicts. He also questioned the wisdom of spending $120,000 on fireworks when the city is losing millions due to shutdowns caused by the pandemic.
“I think it’s crazy to do this when we’re facing a $35 million shortfall,” Glassman said. “Call me a party pooper, but whatever. I just think it’s crazy.”