SAN ANTONIO – Cities and suburbs in the San Antonio area have quickly changed plans for Fourth of July celebrations as the state has seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases.
New Braunfels and Boerne are the latest cities to cancel or postpone their fireworks displays, as announced on Friday.
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This week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pulled back the reins on reopening by forcing the closure of bars and scaling back dining capacity at restaurants.
Abbott has also issued a ban on gatherings of 100 people or more. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff had already issued similar bans this week.
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Still, not all Fourth of July fireworks celebrations have been canceled; SeaWorld and Six Flags Fiesta Texas are still planning displays as they remain open.
Amusement parks and waterparks are among the few exceptions in the gathering ban.
San Antonio’s 4th of July celebration at Woodlawn Lake Park canceled due to COVID-19
Here are the latest plans for fireworks display around San Antonio and New Braunfels for July 4. This list will be updated as plans are added or canceled:
Schertz
The city announced on Thursday, June 29 that they would be canceling their 45th Annual 4th of July Jubilee. The announcement was posted on the city’s Facebook page.
“This difficult decision was necessary to preserve the health and safety of our community and our first responders,” Schertz Mayor Ralph Gutierrez stated on a Facebook post.
Boerne
The city on Friday, June 26, decided to cancel its fireworks show after Abbott handed down orders that prohibit gatherings of 100 people or more.
“I am not excited to announce this, but I think that is the right thing for all of us. If you looked at what the numbers were trending and how things looked in this area or in Texas, everything was looking good,” Mayor Tim Handren said in a news release.
Helotes
Helotes has canceled its celebration that was planned for July 3 at the grounds of City Hall. The city’s website states the festivities typically gather more than 1,000 people.
“Our team remains committed to the health and safety of all residents and visitors. Unfortunately, we do not have enough space at City Hall to accommodate such a large event with the implementation of adequate social distancing measures. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year for the 2021 celebration,” City Administrator Marian Mendoza said.
Leon Valley
The city has canceled its 26th annual Fourth of July events, including the annual parade, fireworks and the Leon Valley Historical Society’s Pioneer Firecracker 5K Morning Run.
New Braunfels
The city has decided to postpone its celebration and close river parks, officials announced Friday, June 26.
The annual Fourth of July Parade had already been canceled, but a fireworks show had been planned for Landa Park.
The show will be postponed to a date that has not yet been set.
Previously, locals were encouraged to view fireworks from their homes or at parks that allowed safe distancing.
San Antonio
The annual Fourth of July Celebration and fireworks show at Woodlawn Lake Park has been canceled this year out of an abundance of caution, city officials said Tuesday, June 16.
San Antonio’s 4th of July celebration at Woodlawn Lake Park canceled due to COVID-19
The celebration is a city of San Antonio-sanctioned event.
City parks and trails will remain open over the holiday weekend and social distancing is encouraged.
San Marcos
The city’s SummerFest, which includes fireworks and a concert, has been postponed due to the pandemic.
“Staff will continue to discuss and monitor the situation to determine when the celebration can be rescheduled,” the city said in a news release.
The San Marcos River and city parks will remain open during the holiday weekend, but city officials encourage visitors to take safety precautions.
Schertz
The city says this year’s celebration “will be like no other in recent years."
Schertz is encouraging families to stay home and picnic in their backyards and then find a spot near their houses to watch the fireworks display.
Fireworks will be held at Hilltop Park, Schertz Soccer Complex and Rhine Valley Park and will start around 9:15 p.m.
City leaders and departments will also have a parade throughout neighborhood streets.
More details about time and route will be released at a later time. For more information, click here.
SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld has confirmed that it will have a fireworks celebration on both nights of July 3 and 4.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Fiesta Texas, reopen on Friday, June 19, will have fireworks from July 3-5, according to a park spokesperson.
The fireworks will immediately follow the show “Rock the Night,” which begins at 9:15 p.m.
“'Rock the Night’ is an immersive, multi-media experience combining a rock-and-roll soundtrack, pyrotechnics, video, fire effects, and dancing fountains,” the spokesperson said.
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