WEAK! Frackville Postpones Independence Day Fireworks Until September

The popular Frackville fireworks display held around Independence Day is being postponed until this September this year.

We have a feeling Frackville’s decision starts a disappointing trend across Schuylkill County because monkey see-monkey do.

Frackville Postpones Independence Day Fireworks Until September

On Monday, the Frackville Area Fireworks Committee announced on social media it decided to postpone the scheduled July 3 display until September 5. Of course, they’re blaming the Chinese virus.

“It’s with great sadness that our committee has decided to postpone this year’s fireworks display,” the committee wrote on Facebook. “We love celebrating the birthday of our nation with you.”

This decision comes more than 45 days prior to July 3.

Then, the committee’s message gets a little weird. Somehow, they believe by having a fireworks celebration as planned on July 3, they’ll either ruin Independence Day forever or that we’ll all die if we watch them.

“After careful consideration regarding the current COVID pandemic, we are taking the necessary precautions so we can continue celebrating Independence Day with our community for years to come,” the committee adds.

Huh?

How close to others does this committee think people get when they’re watching fireworks?

For starters, most people show up just before a fireworks display starts. Actually, most people find a spot somewhere where the fireworks can be seen. And when they’re over, they go home … if they’re not at home already.

Also, by July 3, Schuylkill County SHOULD at least be in the Yellow phase of the state’s coronavirus reopening plan. That does allow for at least limited gatherings of people.

To quote an overused meme, “If you feel safe enough to cram into Walmart or Lowe’s” … you can take a half-hour to watch a small town’s Independence Day fireworks. But it’s true.

Not a Smart Move

Postponing America’s independence shouldn’t be an option … ever. It kinda feels like we’re letting the virus (and where it came from) win and unnecessarily prolonging our agony.

And this isn’t a very smart move from the Committee’s standpoint.

After all we’ve endured with the draconian Stay at Home orders, the alleged mandate to wear masks in public, etc., this year’s Independence Day could and should be one of the more spirited in recent memory.

A well-organized fundraising campaign could have raised tens of thousands of dollars for the community. By September, that excitement will definitely have calmed down.

But it seems Frackville is buckling to the fear and panic of the pandemic and definitely giving in way too soon.

Monkey See-Monkey Do

Frackville is, as far as we know, the first community in Schuylkill County to postpone its annual fireworks display. The committee up there set a make-up date for September 5. If it rains, the fireworks will be set off on September 12.

But Frackville isn’t the first community in the US to postpone fireworks around the 4th of July.

Pittsburgh recently announced it’s cancelling a major fireworks display there. And they’ve joined other communities across the US making similar decisions. But just because someone else does it, doesn’t make it right.

Like elsewhere, the decision is being met with some sharp critiques.

“It makes no sense,” someone wrote in reply to the committee’s announcement. “People could watch from their homes or even their own vehicle.”

Among the several hundred people who shared the announcement on their own profiles, there were definitely more Sad faces than Thumbs Up reactions.

“Makes zero sense,” another person writes.

ALSO READ: 

• Second Wave of Coronavirus in Schuylkill County? Nah.
• Riot Act of 2020 – Tom Wolf Says Schuylkill County is Selfish, Cowardly and Surrendered to Chinese Virus
• Are Masks Really Mandatory in Pennsylvania? Probably Maybe
• You Can Get a Haircut in Pennsylvania … If (And It’s a Big If)
• Coronavirus in Schuylkill County

 

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