LANCASTER – Earlier this month Lancaster-Fairfield county 4th of July show held their breath with the hope that Gov. Dewine would eventually roll back some of the orders on firework displays but as time came closer to the 4th they have seen that that social distancing orders will still be in place until after festivities. The group says that although they cannot have a big event the president of Hamburg Fireworks, Ken Sprague has opted another idea.
As a gift to Lancaster Sprague proposes that his company will light off a very much abbreviated firework display at the highest peak of Lancaster Mt. Pleasant. The plan is that the fireworks would be high enough for most people in the city to see, so people will not congregate at the parks. THE FAIRGROUNDS, RISING PARK AND FOREST ROSE CEMETERY WILL BE CLOSED during the event.
According to Lancaster Mayor David Scheffler the fireworks display will launch at 10 pm on the top of Mt Pleasant and they will be the large shell fireworks so they will travel high into the sky so everyone in the area can see them.
“Due to the effort to minimize crowds to prevent exposure to the Covid-19 virus, Rising Park, the Fairfield County Fairgrounds and Forest Rose Cemetery will be closed during the day on July 4 as follows:
• The Rising Park vehicle loop will close at 4 PM. All cars and people will be removed from the park at that time. The tennis court parking lot will be closed all day for staging by Hamburg Fireworks.
• The Fairfield County Fairgrounds will be closed all day.
• Forest Rose Cemetery will close at noon.
• Access to Mount Pleasant will be prohibited all day for set-up of the launch equipment.
Closing the Park and the Fairgrounds allows for a larger required safety area and the use of bigger shells which will make the fireworks visible all over the city. Lancaster Police Department officers will be patrolling area parking lots to discourage congregating. Again, the display will be visible all over the city so residents are asked to view the fireworks from their home’s porch, patio or yard,” said the Mayor.
“It is not how big the fireworks are in the air, but rather how big the spirit is in our hearts for the Country we love” said Ken Sprague of Hamburg Fireworks on a press release.
Ken Sprague also wants to acknowledge and thank Mayor David Scheffler and the Lancaster Fire Department, Lancaster Police Department and Lancaster Parks & Recreation for their assistance in considering the safety aspects for this 3 minute Firework Show.
