On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council provided direction on summer community events through July and August—including cancelling the July Fourth Celebration.
The direction came after Nancy Kaiser, Parks and Recreation Director, highlighted how the current directive limits social gathering and large crowds. Since March 17, city facilities have been closed in response to the COVID-19 directives.
Kaiser sought direction for the Fourth of July Celebration event, along with the Summer Concert Series and other events such as Movies in the Park saying its unclear whether there will be an opportunity for each event based on future guidelines.
She explained how Pleasant Hill, Moraga, Orinda, San Ramon, San Pablo and Concord have all cancelled their July 4 festivities. In Pleasant Hill, their Blues and Brews has also already been cancelled. The Concord Pavilion concerts have already been cancelled. San Ramon cancelled their Art and Wind Festival scheduled for Memorial Day while Pittsburg is looking ahead to the Seafood Festival in September.
Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts, who said she was President of the Celebrate Antioch Foundation, said they had a lineup of events this year in conjunction with the City.
“We did cancel the Art and Wine Walk coming up on Mother’s Day, we are looking to cancel the Father’s Day Car Show, we haven’t got to the point of cancelling the Fourth of July yet… in conversations with City Manager, I think we were considering still just doing fireworks, but I think just means people will gather in places they shouldn’t be. So from the Celebrate Antioch standpoint, the sooner we make the decision the better,” explained Motts who said they could get back $11,000 for fireworks. “In light of the current situation, I just don’t see a way for the Fourth of July.”
Councilmember Lamar Thorpe said he believed these types of decisions should be left up to the “professionals” who are engaged with putting together these types of events and can keep the council up to date with what may or may not happen. He told Kaiser she could decide whatever she felt was best to keep the people safe.
Councilmember Monica Wilson called it “heartbreaking” to cancel the Fourth of July event but understood the decision to cancel these events for public safety.
Kaiser explained they are looking at all creative ways to provide activities to the community from a possibly a parade throughout the city with people watching the parade through their driveways.
Wilson suggested to Kaiser looking at musicians and artists who are online doing concerts, possibly look into that as an option to replace the summer concert series.
Councilmember Lori Ogorchock agreed with comments by Motts about the cancellation to help recoup some of the funds for the Fourth of July and was sorry to see it cancelled.
Mayor Sean Wright said that any money that might be going out to not go out right now saying that they needed to make wise decisions right now with possible extra funds available by saving money now.
11 comments
Ha, it’s time to start disregarding what all these political clowns are telling us to do….all for a virus that has a lower death rate then the flu.
Maybe you should volunteer to work at a hospital.
Hey Newsome take a look at Sweden’s covid-19 infection rate & death numbers. Sweden has allowed their country to remain openthey made a decision not to destroy their economy and create. They are protecting their vulnerable and elderly, their numbers are the same as the US! These political leaders have an ulterior motive. Shame! And anyone who says differently is flat out ignorant, the numbers are based off of science. Please open your eyes to the bigger picture here.
Sweden’s numbers are NOT the same rate as the US! They currently have a death rate 35% higher than the US.
Link below shows their higher death rate. Now imagine adding another 35% to the US death rate.
If you’ve ever been to Sweden you realize the problem with US is we have higher urban densities than Sweden. You’re comparing apples to oranges.
Worldometers.info
You love the Swedish model, eh…..that’s great. It would be great if we followed their model in almost everything. Bet you would have a cow if you knew HOW they take care of their people…..break out your smelling salts
Tired of this tyrannical b.s. .
I hope to find some other place to be other than Antioch this year. So many self entitled knuckleheads that now live in the area think it’s their right to disturb the peace for weeks under the guise of being patriotic. I call it lawless and inconsiderate.
I think these politicians are hiding behind this flu. Can’t celebrate in July?
Really? Now is the time to resist.
Resist what? What’s the big deal? So no fireworks. Big whoop. No lousy parade. Somehow, I think we can survive
Those crying about tyranny and having no freedom are really showing how privileged and out of touch they really are. First world babies. They go from raving that the USA is the best country in the world, then when our leaders under the guidance of health officials lay out guidelines, they cry like pampered babies. Take the silver spoon out of your cooter and find some hobbies and things to make you productive.
Smart planners in the CCP and Democrat Party here.
See, keep everything and everyone bubble wrapped for as long as possible,then because few people had a chance to develop antibodies from exposure,open the economy at just the right time and boom…around election time a huge “second wave”.
Wiping out Boomers left and right and then the need for “mail only” elections.
Great day for mediocre politicians like the ones we have here in Antioch.
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