Full Notification

First Selectman Jim Marpe’s COVID-19 Update

Memorial Day Parade and July 4 Fireworks are Canceled

Westport, CT – First Selectman Jim Marpe announced today that the annual Memorial Day Parade and July 4 Fireworks have been canceled.

It is with great regret that we must announce that due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Town of Westport’s annual Memorial Day Parade and July 4 Fireworks have been canceled. Unfortunately, many nearby communities have made similar decisions to cancel their summer events.

Both of these events draw hundreds of participants and thousands of onlookers each year. In an abundance of caution and with the health and safety of our community at the forefront of our perspective, it is only appropriate that we notify the public well in advance that these scheduled events have been canceled. The decision to cancel does not come without reservation or sadness from all our public officials. However, the current environment dictates that we determine the best way to manage these types of events in the future. We cannot make assumptions at this time on whether or not it will be safe to congregate in any size crowd, much less ones of this magnitude, by the end of May or the beginning of July.

The Memorial Day Parade and the following ceremony at Veterans Green, organized by the Westport Veterans Council and Westport Parks and Recreation Department, was to be held on Monday, May 25.

The Town of Westport will always remember the ultimate sacrifices made by so many service men and women in defense of our freedoms. We are planning for an alternate virtual event for Memorial Day to honor our veterans and commemorate those selfless soldiers who gave their lives for their country. Details will be forthcoming.

The Westport Police Athletic League (PAL)-sponsored Independence Day fireworks was scheduled for July 2, 2020, with a rain date of July 3, 2020. This family outing annually draws thousands of attendees to Compo Beach and the nearby neighborhoods for an evening of fun and fireworks.

“The PAL had to make a difficult decision regarding the Independence Day fireworks. Please understand that organizing an event of this magnitude requires not only a significant amount of pre-planning, but also a financial commitment that must be made several months in advance. With the uncertainty surrounding current restrictions on large gatherings and when these might be lifted, it would be ill-advised to plan an event which may ultimately not be possible and safe to execute,” said PAL president Officer Ned Batlin.

Although the fireworks celebration will not be held this year, the community will be encouraged to remember and celebrate the spirit of the Independence Day holiday in their own private way. We are confident that soon, the crisis will be lessened and we will once again be able to hold these longstanding community events. Please be assured that when that time comes, they will be organized with effective pre-planning, precision and with abundant public safety considerations. Thank you for your continued understanding and commitment to maintaining the health, well-being and safety of our entire community.

Please continue to self-isolate, quarantine if necessary, thoroughly wash your hands, socially distance yourself and, as much as possible, stay at home. Remember, you’re not stuck at home, you’re safe at home.

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