Temecula Cancels July 4 Fireworks Show

TEMECULA, CA — Although Temecula City Council said earlier this month that a July 4 fireworks show must go on amid coronavirus, the city announced Wednesday that the holiday display at Ronald Reagan Sports Park has been canceled.

Concerns over mass gatherings prompted Wednesday's announcement. In a May 27 letter to Temecula City Manager Aaron Adams, City Attorney Peter Thorson wrote, "As of this date, the Governor’s Executive Orders and the State Health Officer’s orders would prohibit a July 4th fireworks show at Ronald Reagan Sports Park that involves the gathering of people in or near the park and surrounding streets."

In a 3-2 vote on May 6, Temecula City Council chose to move forward with a July 4 fireworks show amid coronavirus challenges — provided the county and/or state did not ban the display. Council members Matt Rahn and Zak Schwank cast the dissenting votes. Read more: Temecula's July 4 Fireworks Show Will Go On, Despite Coronavirus

Since the council vote, Gov. Gavin Newsom has not lifted the state's stay-home order although he has eased many of its restrictions. The California Department of Public Health has issued guidance on gatherings, and has stated that all should be postponed or canceled, according to Thorson's letter.

Citing an inquiry to the CDPH by the city of Norco regarding an outdoor church service proposed to take place on 130 acres with an attendance of 8,000 people, Thorson provided the state's response to Norco: "Mass gatherings are not permitted under the Stay-at-Home order.”

"The July 4th fireworks show, in which people are allowed to gather in-person at Ronald Reagan Sports Park, its parking lot or the surrounding streets, would be a 'mass gathering' and would not be permitted by the Governor’s Executive Orders, the State Public Health Officer’s Orders or the interpretations of these Orders by the California Department of Public Health," Thorson wrote.

Garden State Fireworks, the city’s fireworks vendor, is working with the city and will apply the deposit for the July 4 display to a future show, date to be determined, according to the city.

On Tuesday, Lake Elsinore City Council voted 5-0 to go ahead with its July 4 fireworks display over the lake. Read more: Lake Elsinore To Hold July 4 Fireworks Show