A lot of you have asked for details about the planned 4th of July Fireworks Show in Portsmouth, Ohio. Many communities across the state canceled their celebrations due to COVID-19. Here in Portsmouth, fireworks are still a go but there are important restrictions you need to know about, including ‘fun police’ to enforce strict-social distancing. Let’s hit the three important points.
Drive-In Show
This year’s celebration will be a drive-in event. Vehicles will park in the practice fields at Spartan Stadium. Fireworks will be set off on the other side of the stadium.
The Portsmouth Fire Department will barricade the area where the pyrotechnics are happening to keep everyone safe. The event starts at 7 pm. Volunteers will be on hand to direct you to your parking spot starting at 6 pm. Visitors should enter from the east side of the stadium. The actual fireworks show will start around 10 pm.
- Place: Spartan Stadium Practice Fields 1804 James St.
- Date: Saturday, July 4th, 2020
- Time: The event starts at 7 pm. Parking begins at 6 pm
- Cost: It’s free and open to the public
Organizers from Friends of Portsmouth warned people this isn’t going to be the usual type of celebration. There are strict health measures in place.
Strict Social Distancing
Event organizers said they had to change their original plans to comply with health regulations. They planned for food trucks but had to drop that plan after conferring with the health department.
Strict social distancing is in place, starting with vehicles. Vehicles must be parked far apart with enough room to allow for social distancing if you get out. You are allowed to bring out chairs or blankets and stay near your vehicle. But you must stay together. No socializing with other vehicles.
Fun Police
Friends of Portsmouth said they’ll have “Fun Police” on patrol to make sure that everyone complies with social distancing.”
Jeremy Burnside said he had the “Distinct unfortunate privilege of doing something that nobody likes to do. It’s the equivalent of being the hall monitor in high school. Nobody likes to go around and tells people to limit their fun.”
He said that he hoped people would understand that the restrictions were necessary in order to hold the event and that people would accept the rules. “If you plan on coming here and setting up a big tent and a grill, please don’t do it.”
Burnside said that the volunteer ‘fun police’ will wear masks and have hand sanitizer. “”If the fun police comes over to your gathering, please understand that we have an obligation to break up groups.”
He said it’s everyone’s individual responsibility to practice good social distancing but the fun police would serve as a reminder of those responsibilities. “If you have expectations of bringing big groups of people, grills, and partying up like we usually do in P-Town, please understand that this is going to be different.”
