SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. - The city of Springfield has decided to cancel their annual Fourth of July fireworks show due to the extreme dry conditions.
The city announced the decision on Monday, saying this will be the first cancellation in the history of the annual event.
Thousands
have typically have attended this nearly 20 minute show since 2001, but just
looking around at some of the grass or even just standing outside, residents
said it's not a surprise the fireworks show has been canceled.
"I
wasn't surprised. You can tell the dust in the air, it's hot. It could rain
right now and a couple of days it would be like it is now," said one Springfield home-owner.
Director
of Springfield Parks and Recreations Tony Felts says it was not any easy
decision, but after consulting with everyone from the city's mayor to fire
chief, the department unanimously decided that canceling the show was the best
option.
"It's
what if! We are surrounded by farm land and pastures and a lot of people's
property," said Felts.
Later
this month the city's Board of Mayor and Alderman will decide if they will use
the fireworks at a later date, possibly Labor Day weekend.
Many cities and counties in the mid-state have issued burn and fireworks bans due to the drought-like conditions across the area.
