OSHKOSH (NBC 26) -- Oshkosh will not have fireworks and a parade for the Fourth of July this year, the city announced Friday.
The city of Oshkosh said it made the difficult decision to cancel the events due to concerns regarding coronavirus.
“After weeks of deliberation, the team prioritized public health and safety and made the difficult decision to cancel the events. We understand the community’s disappointment as we feel it too,” said Mark Rohloff, City Manager. “Events such as these encourage large groups to gather. With the current COVID-19 situation, group gatherings of any size outside the household are discouraged by public health agencies. The city felt it would be irresponsible to provide events where social distancing would be problematic.”
Other communities in Northeast Wisconsin have canceled their events for Independence Day, which led Oshkosh officials worrying that residents from those communities would come to Oshkosh instead to celebrate the Fourth.
The city of Oshkosh encourages its residents and businesses to continue following safe and healthy practices to protect the entire community.
