Port Arthur hits pause on Independence Day fireworks; possible make-up dates shared

Published 5:00 pm Monday, June 29, 2020

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The city of Port Arthur’s annual fireworks display will not be held on Independence Day.

City Manager Ron Burton confirmed Monday the show has been called off as a result of a spike of coronavirus cases.

He added city officials are working with the fireworks vendors on a later performance date.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

Labor Day, which is Sept. 7 this year, and New Year’s Day are possible makeup dates.

“They got in contact with us,” Burton said. “All of the municipalities in the area have canceled their fireworks shows. Looking at the numbers [of COVID-19 cases] spiking thus far, I felt there was a very strong possibility we would cancel our show.”

Councilmembers discussed the issue during a June 9 meeting about if and how crowds gathering at the Port Arthur Seawall for the display would be managed amid the health pandemic.

The city and other Jefferson County municipalities have seen sharp rises in COVID-19 infections throughout the month, leading county Judge Jeff Branick to enact an order June 22 requiring businesses implement a policy for workers and customers to wear masks while inside their respective establishments.