Health, Sponsor Woes Cited As Manchester Fireworks Canceled

MANCHESTER, CT — Members of Manchester's Independence Day Celebration Committee are citing not only safety concerns brought on by the coronavirus pandemic for the demise of the 2020 local fireworks events, but a financial toll virus restrictions have taken on sponsors.

The annual James "Dutch" Fogarty Fourth of July activities were officially called off on June 1.

Here is a statement from the committee:

Due to the uncertainty of the progression and duration of this virus many of our prior years sponsors, which include a significant number of local individuals and businesses, have indicated that they may not be in a position to provide financial assistance to us this year.

While we will hope for the best we must plan for the worst. After careful deliberation there appears to be no acceptable path forward that would mitigate the risk enough to protect the community by holding a celebration this year.

For these reasons, the town has decided to cancel the 2020 Fourth of July Celebration in its entirety.

We look forward to getting back to some kind of normalcy and will continue our planning for the 2021 celebration. Please stay safe and healthy.