Northeast Florida: What the coronavirus outbreak means for Fourth of July celebrations

Jacksonville, FL — Ahead of the Fourth of July, Northeast Florida leaders are announcing how they plan to handle fireworks celebrations amid the coronavirus outbreak.

CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE 

St. Augustine City Commissioners voted on June 8th to postpone the annual fireworks display, Fireworks Over the Matanzas. The city says the potential new date will be determined at a future commission meeting.

“Fireworks Over the Matanzas attracts thousands of visitors every year and is valued by our local businesses, as well as our residents. With the recent spike in COVID-19 cases reported in Florida in mind, and with a heavy heart, we simply must postpone this year’s event for the safety and health of our community," says St. Augustine Mayor Tracy Upchurch.

City commissioners initially made the decision not to have a fireworks display on July 4th back in May.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH

Nichols told Action News Jax the cancellation was Jax Beach Mayor Charlie Latham’s decision and that he made the decision to cancel, because he doesn't want to attract a crowd to Jacksonville Beach amid the coronavirus outbreak.

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE

The City of Jacksonville will still have a fireworks display, according to Mayor Lenny Curry. However, there will be some changes this year.

Instead of only having a fireworks celebration in downtown, the city plans to light fireworks throughout the Jacksonville-area. Those additional fireworks locations are still being finalized and will be released at a later date.