Naperville Salute Festival Postponed Until 2021 Amid Coronavirus

NAPERVILLE, IL — The Naperville Salute was set to debut July 3 and 4 with live entertainment, family-friendly activities, a "Taste of Naperville" and fireworks, but has been postponed until 2021 due to the ongoing new coronavirus shutdown. Festival planners said in a news release that they are still hoping to have a fireworks display July 4, but that is tentative and will depend on any new direction from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Naperville Salute co-chair Warren Dixon III said in a statement, "After many conversations with public health officials, sponsors and community leaders, there are just too many unknowns, liability, and safety concerns to move forward with the inaugural Naperville Salute planned for July 3-4, 2020."

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The Salute, which takes the place of the former Naperville Ribfest, was set to take place on Rotary Hill and at Naper Settlement. The tentative fireworks display, set for July 4, would "feature a higher altitude display from a to-be-determined location to maximize residential viewing and encourage social distancing," Dixon said.

Festival organizers said they will update residents on the fireworks display in late spring.

Dixon went on to say, "We have a great foundation in place. We will continue to actively plan for the hometown celebration in 2021. The Salute would like to thank everyone in the community for their support and efforts to this point. This is a tough decision and we look forward to 2021.”

What do you think of the decision to postpone Naperville Salute? Let us know in the comments.

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