2020 Racine Fireworks, Parade Canceled Over Coronavirus Concerns

RACINE, WI — Another summer tradition has gone up in smoke as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

According to a Journal Times report from Friday, the city's annual Fourth of July fireworks display along Lake Michigan have been canceled.

In addition, the city's annual Fourth Fest parade, which features more than 100 entries during the morning hours of Independence Day has also been canceled over coronavirus concerns.

According to the report, the combined events typically draw close to 80,000 people, and the city Health Department had concerns about the size of such a gathering.

Cancellation Inevitable

Racine's cancellation was largely expected after Milwaukee officials announced the city's annual July 3 fireworks display had been canceled for 2020.

Hundreds of thousands of people typically flock to Milwaukee's lakefront to see the show, with the epicenter being at Veteran's Park. With the state currently under a safer-at-home order and only essential businesses operating, many summertime community festivals have already been postponed or canceled.

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American Family Insurance announced it make a donation to the newly-established Milwaukee Parks Foundation instead of funding what would have been this year's display.

Milwaukee's annual Independence Day Fireworks are famously on Wednesday, July 3. After some drama in late 2018 over whether the fireworks would be held after annual sponsor U.S. Bank pulled out, the Milwaukee Brewers, American Family Insurance and T&M Partners stepped in to save the show for 2019.

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