• UPDATE: Belle Center, West Mansfield to proceed with respective July 4 shows
• West Liberty fireworks, June 28
• Rushsylvania also postponed until Labor Day
Despite prolonged cooperation between the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Independence Day fireworks displays over Indian Lake have been postponed and rescheduled for Labor Day weekend.
The fireworks show has been rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5, in conjunction with Labor Day weekend festivities.
Because the event is conducted on the grounds of the state park, plans for the fireworks show are subject to approval from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Local officials worked for weeks to secure required approvals from local emergency personnel and the health department to garner approval from ODNR to conduct the show.
In the end, however, no amount of social distancing measures could overcome continued restrictions on large gatherings from the state of Ohio.
Currently, there are no special event, large gathering permits being granted by ODNR for any state parks anywhere in the state, the Indian Lake Chamber reported.
At least one Indian Lake summertime favorite does remain on track to proceed as scheduled. The annual Putt Around the Lake is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, and score cards and team packets will be, “out all around the lake at hole sponsors this week,” chamber officials reported.
The Fourth of July fireworks show at Indian Lake is not the only display being pushed back to Labor Day, either.
Rushcreek Township Volunteer Fire and EMS Department announced May 19 that its fireworks show in the village of Rushsylvania has also been postponed to Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5.
“After receiving guidance from state and local health officials regarding what we can an can’t do for our Independence Day celebration, we have decided to move it and merge it with Labor Day weekend in an attempt to have a full day’s worth of activities,” the fire department announced.
“As of right now, with the information we have, we wouldn’t be allowed to have activities at the park,” including bounce houses.
There would be no parade, and current health requirements would have required attendees to stay in or around their vehicles, “which would not be fun at all,” Rushcreek firefighters said.
Independence Day festivities in East Liberty/Perry Township originally scheduled for July 11 have been canceled and will take place next summer instead, the Perry Township Events committee reported.
Wednesday morning, Belle Center fireworks committee members reported that the July 4 fireworks will continue as planned in the village at dusk. Limited activities will take place during the day, with details to be determined and social distancing requirements to be encouraged, members said.
Fireworks displays in the village of West Liberty remain on track to proceed pretty much as scheduled, now set for 9:30 to 10:30 p.m., Sunday June 28, at Lions Park. Originally, the fireworks demonstration was slated to happen Saturday, but was pushed back a night to accommodate a ball tournament that has since been scheduled for the same weekend.
The West Mansfield Conservation Club will host a fireworks show, Saturday, July 4, in conjunction with a Fourth of July fish fry.
Attendees at the fireworks will be required to remain in or around their vehicles, but lawnchairs and blankets will be permitted.
Donations are being solicited to help offset the cost, and can be made at the Union Banking Company, Field’s Grocery, or the day of the event.