CLEAR LAKE – A difficult decision was made in Clear Lake by officials to cancel all annual Fourth of July events this year due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus.
This year’s events were scheduled from July 1 through July 5, 2020. The familiar sights and sounds of the carnival, live music, families playing and frolicking in the warm summer breezes will not be. No more carnies barking sales pitches and pestering bar patrons. No more ketchup-faced toddlers munching corn dogs as big as they are. No more semi-intoxicated twenty-somethings blasting around the lake on their crotch-rockets. Tears will be shed; pockets will be empty; bank accounts will be lighter; skies will not be lit be gorgeous fireworks to be seen for miles.
Clear Lake city councilman Bennett Smith stated about the sad decision, “I fully support the decision that was made today (May 26 council meeting) regarding the cancellation of the 4th of July events. I appreciate the leadership and collaboration of the City and the Chamber as well as the County department of Public Health in making a very difficult decision. It is certainly in the best interest of protecting our front line people who have to deal with this outbreak and the general public as we move forward during this pandemic. I hope that we all will continue to support our local businesses during this difficult time for them as well.”
All hope is that next year, things will be back to normal.