The largest fireworks show in Texas will officially be popping in Addison at this year's Kaboom Town, organizers announced Wednesday. The community was waiting for the official word as many other events have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Addison Circle Park event, however, will be canceled due to social distancing concerns. Parking garages will also be closed to the public. The accompanying airshow, which usually happens before the fireworks, will also be canceled.
The fireworks show, set for 9:30 p.m. on July 3, is planned to be seen citywide, due to larger shells which will make the fireworks soar higher, organizers said.
Here are recommendations from Addison on viewing the show:
- Book a staycation in Addison where you can watch the fireworks from.
- Enjoy firework views from a restaurant.
- Watch from your car. Find a parking lot and watch the fireworks display from the safety of your car. Music will be simulcast on Star 102.1 FM.
- Stay home and watch the fireworks live stream of Addison Kaboom Town! on social media.
"We will be fencing off Addison Circle Park to ensure people don't come in," said Addison Director of Special Events Jasmine Lee. "And we'll just be redirecting them to other places in Addison where they can safely view from their cars or also from a restaurant patio."
"We view this as one of our signature events and it's worth it to put this on to celebrate America's independence and to give everybody a little taste of normal of what they're used to."
The City of Plano is also going ahead with its annual July 4 fireworks show. But, like Addison, the festival events have been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
The fireworks will launch from a different location, Lavon Farms near the Plano Event Center, which is located at higher ground from where the display is usually launched at Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve.
Organizers also plan to have the fireworks explode at higher altitude, 500 to 600 feet, to allow them to seen farther away. They encourage people to view the fireworks show from their homes, vehicles or neighborhoods. Music for the show will be broadcast on radio station KLAK.
"I think everybody's ready for some kind of community feel-good thing. And the symbolism for Independence Day and the Fourth of July, and we'll make it through this I think is important," said Plano Arts and Events Manager Michelle Hawkins. "It's unfortunate that we can't have the event portion, but I think that this at least will feel like a Fourth of July."
On Friday, the City of Allen also confirmed that although the Market Street Allen USA Celebration won't happen this year, there will still be some sort of fireworks display.
Allen Parks and Recreation made the announcement on Facebook. The location has not been released yet.
On Tuesday, officials announced that Fair Park Fourth has been canceled, citing the pandemic and in the interest of public safety.
The announcement came the same day Dallas County reported a record tie for the highest number of positive cases in the county.
On May 5, the City of Lewisville also canceled the Old Town fireworks show, which was previously set for July 3.
The City of Allen canceled this year's Celebration USA.
