Nederland 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza canceled
Published 12:10 am Thursday, June 11, 2020
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NEDERLAND — There will be no Nederland Fourth of July fireworks show in 2020.
The Ninth Annual 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza at Doornbos Park was officially canceled this week, the latest casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted nearly all things globally and locally.
City Manager Chris Duque said Nederland has its fireworks provider under contract to put on the event in 2021, adding the group needed to know this week if Nederland was going forward with this summer’s fireworks fun.
“So (Monday), the city council went ahead and made the decision to postpone the show until July 4, 2021,” Duque said. “There will not be an event in Doornbos Park on July 4, 2020, with fireworks. It has been pushed back.”
Last year’s event began with a bike and wagon parade and included a “Heroes Walk,” entertainment by Still Crusin’ and a fireworks show.
In addition to the social distancing concerns, the City lacked food vendors, entertainment amenities and sponsors for the 2020 event, according to Nederland officials.
Opening updates
Nederland launched a phased reopening of city buildings last week. The public safety complex on Boston Avenue began municipal court last week, and Duque said this week he didn’t believe any issues or problems have been reported.
“There have been no complaints or issues that have come up with City Hall,” he said. “We’re trying to be proactive with birth and death certificates. That seems to be the main thing people have come into the building for and job applications.”
Nederland’s Marion & Ed Hughes Public Library continues to operate through curbside only.
Duque said the city has not received library complaints, adding the original goal was to look at a June 15 expansion past curbside service.
That timeline looks to be pushed back.
“The issue we still have at the library is the amount of touch points,” Duque said. “In order to consider opening the building and allowing the public to get in, you have to think through how we are going to minimize the touch points. Every place someone touches is a place you need to clean.”
Complicating matters is an open custodian’s position at the library, and filling that role has been notoriously slow in the past.
