Longest running July 4 celebration in state postponed due to COVID-19
Published 10:00 am Monday, June 15, 2020
- The Crab Orchard Fourth of July celebration will not take place this year. (File photo)
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CRAB ORCHARD – For the first time in a very long time, Main Street in Crab Orchard will not be packed with vendors and spectators come July 4.
Due to the novel coronavirus, the state’s longest running Independence Day celebration in Crab Orchard has been postponed.
It was a tough decision for City Commissioners to make, according to Crab Orchard Mayor Billy Shelton, but it was one they felt was necessary.
Shelton said commissioners voted unanimously on June 4 to postpone the annual Fourth of July events.
“We really didn’t know what to do, we talked about the county fair being cancelled here,” Shelton said. “Maybe it’s better…we just don’t know what this COVID-19 is going to do, could have outbreaks again. I’m hoping that it won’t.”
The novel coronavirus has cancelled many events this spring and more this summer, including most county fairs, but Crab Orchard is hoping to hold celebrations later in the year.
“We’re thinking maybe to reschedule it for the fall, do a late thing maybe in October,” he said. “Look and see at what COVID-19 is doing then.”
Shelton said Crab Orchard City Hall is still closed to the public but they’re hoping to reopen around July 1.
Commissioners will likely meet before City Hall is reopened, he added. The COVID-19 outbreak has cancelled several meetings this spring.
“We need to get in and do some financial stuff,” Shelton said. “We’re just on hold.”
