Solano's "red tier" status prompts Benicia to cancel fireworks show
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The City of Benicia will not produce its annual Independence Day parade and associated fireworks show this year.
In a press release this week, city officials said the parade and fireworks show were being canceled out of an abundance of caution because of the ongoing health pandemic.
While other regions have made progress on the number of coronavirus infections and hospitalizations, Solano remains one of the few counties still placed in the “red” restrictive tier.
State officials plan to scrap the color-based restriction tier on June 15, though Benicia officials say they have not formally given their blessing toward mass gatherings.
“The state has provided no indication that mass gatherings will be permitted with the forthcoming changes,” Benicia city officials wrote in a statement. “Mass gathering are of concern because Benicia’s Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Display each draw upwards of 20,000 spectators.”
Due to the size of each event’s attendance, city officials spend weeks planning and preparing for the parade. The parade is typically held on July 3 of each year, with the fireworks display held at a local park on Independence Day.
The lack of guidance from state health officials meant the city was unable to start planning for the parade and the fireworks display.
City officials said people shouldn’t draw comparisons between Benicia and other communities who are moving forward with Independence Day plans.
“Those communities that have announced plans to host 4th of July festivities are able to do so because they have venues, such as amphitheaters or other spaces, where attendance can be limited and controlled,” Erik Upson, Benicia’s city manager, said in a statement. “In Benicia, we don’t have the facilities that would allow to limit the size of mass gatherings.”
City officials expressed disappointment that the town won’t be able to move forward with the events, but they affirmed the safety of their community was the top priority.
“We have the end of this pandemic in sight and can look forward to celebrating again as a community next year,” Upson said.
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