Pismo Beach cancels Fourth of July fireworks show, moves Memorial Day event online
No fireworks will light up the skies above Pismo Beach this Fourth of July.
The city announced Friday that it will not hold several of its large events or classes this summer because of the coronavirus.
This includes its iconic Fourth of July firework show — the city’s largest annual event, which normally draws approximately 100,000 people to the South County city over the holiday.
“While we anticipate that families will continue to come to the beach for the weekend, we are encouraging those that are making plans for Fourth of July to remember that physical distance will remain important for the foreseeable future, and that travel should only occur if public health orders allow for it” City Manager Jim Lewis said in a news release.
The city has also canceled its Junior Lifeguard Program for the summer and its larger recreation classes, and will move its Memorial Day celebration from the Pier to an online virtual celebration.
“The decision to cancel and modify these events was a difficult decision,” Lewis said in the release. “As a local government, we too must adhere to the direction coming from Governor Newsom. The events and classes that had to be canceled could not be modified to meet the guidelines and parameters in the Shelter at Home orders, even when factoring the best case scenario for the reopening plan.”
Fireworks cancellation a disappointment for many
In a Facebook post Thursday afternoon, the Chamber of Commerce said it had been notified by the city that the firework show would not be able to take place, based upon the county’s coronavirus reopening plan.
“Unfortunately large crowds, like those we would see at the 4th, will not be allowed until Phase 3,” the chamber noted via Facebook. “We are not yet in Phase 1 of this plan. We understand your feelings and know this is a disappointment to many.”
The news upset many people who have come to look forward to the Pismo Beach fireworks show each year.
“So, so sad,” one person commented on the post.
The show was one of only a handful of remaining fireworks shows in San Luis Obispo County to celebrate Independence Day.
The fate of Cayucos’ annual fireworks show is still under discussion, according to the Cayucos Chamber of Commerce website. The organization has already postponed several of its traditional Fourth of July events in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Pismo’s Memorial Day going virtual
The Memorial Day Ceremony typically held at the Pismo Beach Pier Plaza will instead take place online, according to the city’s release.
The city will broadcast a virtual ceremony at 10 a.m. on May 25. The video will be available on its Facebook and YouTube accounts, as well as on local Public Access Cable.
“Pismo Beach has a proud history of honoring its veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice for this Country,” Lewis said. “It was important to the City Council and the entire community that we find a way to continue honoring our heroes.”
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information from the city on the cancellations.
This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 5:34 PM.
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