Plainfield Fireworks, Patriotic Picnic Canceled For Second Year

PLAINFIELD, IL — For the second year, Plainfield's Fourth of July fireworks and Patriotic Picnic events are canceled, according to the park district.

The Plainfield Park District Board of Commissioners cited the pandemic and uncertainty around capacity limits at the time of the decision as reasons for the cancellation. They "decided to be fiscally responsible and sustainable" by not including the two Fourth of July activities into the 2021 fiscal year budget, according to a statement from the park district.

"Contracts for fireworks would have needed to be executed by April 1, 2021 and the district would have sustained financial liabilities if the fireworks were canceled," the statement said. "The District will reevaluate with the upcoming budget year."

The events were canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Plainfield's Patriotic Picnic was last held in 2019, which marked the event's 11th anniversary. The Plainfield Park District hosted the event since 2008 after it was first kicked off in 1999 as part of Plainfield Fest.

Editor's note: The story has been updated to reflect that fact that it is the park district, not the village, that organizes the patriotic picnic.