Gathering Size Limitations Cancels Independence Day Celebration

CHANNAHON, IL – Even as Illinois prepares to move to its next stage of reopening, a number of summer events will not be taking place as scheduled, including the annual Independence Day Celebration.

The Board of Commissioners and Channahon Park District announced last month that due to ongoing limits on the size of public gatherings, the Independence Day celebration would not be taking place. State officials have announced that the state will enter Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, which will allow restrictions on facets of business of living to be loosened later this week, but certain events will not take place.

“There may be opportunities for us to provide smaller event but given the limit on crowds this large event is simply not possible,” officials said in a news release.

In addition to canceling the July 4 celebration, officials also announced that Tomahawk Aquatic Center will remain closed this summer and that Skateland Recreation Center will not offer open skates on Friday nights throughout the summer.

Officials said that the decision to cancel the Independence Day celebration and to keep the facilities closed was a difficult one but said that the choice was needed to ensure the safety of patrons and park district employees.