Fourth of July fireworks return to Rehoboth after new CDC mask guidance sussexcountian.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sussexcountian.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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The City of Rehoboth Beach announced Friday that its traditional fireworks display is still happening Saturday, July 3.
This comes only three days after City Manager Sharon Lynn, with the city s police department, recommended canceling the popular event that typically draws thousands of people.
Some of Lynn s concerns included the city s ability to enforce mask requirements in crowded places and contact tracing, or keeping track of people who may have been exposed.
But the decision to continue with the fireworks display follows the new federal guidance Thursday that Americans who are fully vaccinated may stop wearing masks and social distancing in most indoor and outdoor settings.
Rehoboth Beach announced May 14 that its Fourth of July fireworks display will launch as scheduled Saturday, July 3. Festivities include musical sets performed by The Funsters at the Bandstand beginning at 8 p.m. and again after the fireworks display, which will take place around 9:30 p.m.
“We’re really excited that the country is opening back up and that we are able to celebrate with our annual fireworks display,” said City Manager Sharon Lynn, in a prepared statement. “It’s been a challenging year-and-a-half, and like everyone else, we’re eager to have a little fun and enjoy the kind of summer activities that Rehoboth Beach is so well known for. We are confident that we can have a safe fireworks display this year and delighted that Rehoboth Beach is a happy place for so many. We look forward to a great summer.”
Rehoboth Beach commissioners have loosened the city’s mask wearing regulations to reflect the state’s current guidelines. However, with a decision deadline just weeks away, city staff has also recommended the July 4 fireworks be cancelled.
During a special meeting May 11, City Manager Sharon Lynn made the recommendation, saying it would be nearly impossible to meet the guidelines required for events larger than 250 people. She said Police Chief Keith Banks and Lt. Jamie Riddle also thought it was in the best interest of the city to not hold the fireworks.
Commissioners Pat Coluzzi and Richard Byrne said they supported the city manager making a decision that was in the best interest of the city.
They’re not the ones on the Boardwalk, but Verizon is installing more wireless 5G antennas in Rehoboth Beach.
During a commissioner workshop April 5, City Manager Sharon Lynn announced the communication company would be installing four new 5G-capable light poles on Rehoboth Avenue. A crew from Danella, a Pennsylvania-based utility contractor, was on site the week of May 3.
The new antennas are expected to look like the five AT&T installed on Rehoboth Avenue in 2019.
During the meeting, Lynn also said Verizon will be submitting applications for an additional 11, mainly along King Charles and Bayard avenues.
In an email April 21, Lynne Coan, city spokesperson, said the applications include two on First Street, three on King Charles Avenue, four on Bayard Avenue, one on Wilmington Avenue and one on Laurel Street. The exact locations were not given.