NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Nashville has canceled Saturday’s July 4th fireworks show as the city prepares to return to Phase Two due to a surge of COVID-19 cases.
Mayor John Cooper announced the cancelation Thursday morning during his weekly COVID-19 update.
“It is clear that adding any public health risk is inappropriate for Nashville at this time. So, we’ve directed the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation to cancel its fireworks display on Saturday evening,” said Cooper.
NewsChannel 5 will broadcast a special from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. to honor healthcare workers, first responders and frontline workers.
There is no public concert or any other public event planned for downtown on July 4.
Metro health officials reported more than 600 new cases on Thursday, making it the highest single-case count in 24 hours.
Butch Spyridon, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., released the following statement:
“After putting together a small July 4th celebration that prioritized the health and safety of our city, we have decided to cancel the short fireworks show we had planned for downtown to broadcast on NewsChannel 5. While we are disappointed, the significant increase in COVID cases this week made it clear that we needed to take any steps possible to discourage crowds from gathering. We hope everyone will have a safe July 4 and watch the one-hour TV special on NewsChannel5 at 9 p.m. on Saturday. We plan to compile the best-of-the-best from previous year’s fireworks shows to include in the broadcast, along with live performances from John Hiatt, Lilly Hiatt, Keb’Mo’ and Tenille Townes.”
