Staff reports 12:58 p.m.
Friday, May 29, 2020 12:58 pm

The nature of the event did not lend itself to social distancing, plus spectators would be in the hundreds if not thousands. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - After weeks of discussion and exploration of multiple scenarios, Rochester officials have decided to postpone this year's Fireworks Festival normally held just before the Fourth of July.

The decision to postpone was not an easy one, however, City Manager Blaine Cox considered two significant reasons.

"First, out of an abundance of caution to keep our residents and visitors safe. The Governor's Executive Order still stipulates that gatherings of more than 10 persons creates an elevated risk of the transmission of COVID-19," he said in a statement today. "All of the precautions and preplanning we contemplated were not able to preclude said risk. In fact, in every scenario such gatherings seemed inevitable."

Secondly, without the food and entertainment components able to be achieved, the festival lacked the community engagement that is so important to its success, Cox noted.

City officials have decided to postpone the festival till a later date this fall or winter.

In his statement Cox thanked Rochester Main Street for their continued support and participation in this event. In addition, he said special thanks also go out to Skyhaven Airport authorities as well as the Rochester Fairgrounds governing board; both allowed city officials to explore their facilities as a possible locations to hold the festival.