Tri-Cities July 4th River of Fire 2021 fireworks canceled. Other summer events change
Kennewick is canceling its Fourth of July fireworks show for a second year because of uncertainties over COVID pandemic restrictions.
There will be no River of Fire fireworks display in Columbia Park this year, according to the city of Kennewick and the Carousel Foundation Board of Directors, which took over organization of the event last year.
“Amidst uncertainties about hosting large gatherings, the River of Fire fireworks display planned for July 4 has been canceled for 2021,” said a news release Tuesday night.
Organizers were “facing deadlines and financial commitments to confirm fireworks and event management logistics to accommodate a significant crowd.”
City Manager Marie Mosley said the decision was a difficult one.
“It’s disheartening to cancel this celebration, however we understand the unknowns of our phased reopening and evolving guidelines make planning for an event of this size and scale at a major venue like Columbia Park challenging,” she said.
The Three Rivers Carousel Foundation plans to be ready for a return of the show in 2022.
The city of Pasco has not made a decision on what its Grand Old 4th of July Celebration will look like.
Parks and Recreation Manager Brent Kubalek said that organizers hope to determine by the beginning of June what activities can take place, but that COVID restrictions will figure into the plans.
Other events
West Richland’s annual Hogs and Dogs and the Cool Desert Nights car show that are usually in late June have been delayed.
Both events are now rescheduled for September in light of the continuing pandemic, said May Hays, executive director of the West Richland Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the events.
She said that the chamber set aside dates in both June and September when making plans for 2021 events, and believes the best choice was the later date.
Hogs and Dogs will be Sept. 30 at the Bombing Range Sport Complex and Cool Desert Nights will be Sept. 30-Oct. 3.
This story was originally published May 4, 2021 at 8:20 PM.