TEMPE, AZ — Planning for Tempe's 2020 Fourth of July festival and fireworks show at Tempe Town Lake has been suspended in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, though a final decision -- including the possibility of canceling the event and putting on a smaller event -- would be made in the coming weeks, the City of Tempe and Kiwanis Club of Tempe announced in a joint news release.
The city said the decision to suspend planning was made because businesses have not been able to commit to the event due to financial uncertainties right now, and it is not yet known if social distancing restrictions would be lifted by July.
“Safety is everyone’s first priority and I am grateful that our community is taking stay-at-home orders very seriously,” Mayor Mark Mitchell said in a statement. “The city and the Kiwanis Club of Tempe have a solid and longstanding partnership and, without a doubt, we will be back in full force next year to truly celebrate our independence.”
The Kiwanis Club of Tempe has organized the event for the last 68 years, which attracts an estimated 100,000 people each year, the news release said.
