Going out without a bang – Annual Fourth of July fireworks canceled

The COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for yet another hometown event being shutdown – this time, it’s the Glenrock Volunteer Fire Department’s (GVFD) annual Fourth of July Fireworks show, originally scheduled to take place July 3-4.

Normally an annual event, it’s not in cards for this year. GVFD Chief Rob Brewer made the announcement earlier this week.

“The Glenrock Volunteer Fire Department (is) cancelling our annual fireworks event at the South Recreation Complex in Glenrock following the guidelines of the Wyoming Department of Health’s Statewide Public Health Order #2,” he said.

“Due to the state restrictions put in place, the decision has been made by (myself) and department officers to cancel the annual event,” Brewer said.

 The order adds several additional requirements to host the event, which make the logistics and protocols extremely difficult for the department to follow.

Brewer said the state’s orders would force the department to adhere to conditions which would make it difficult to proceed with the event in the usual manner, such as limiting groups of attendees (either sitting or standing) to six people of the same household; maintaining six feet distance between the individual groups at all times; staff, hosts/organizers of the event must be screened for COVID-19 symptoms or determined if they’ve had exposure to anyone with COVID-19 in the previous 14 days prior to the event; logs of the screenings must be made available for inspections by the local health officer at any time; the entire facility and area of use must be cleaned thoroughly according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines both before and after the event; and, if six feet of distance cannot be maintained between individual groups, face coverings (masks) are required to be worn during the event.

“With our limited manpower it will be difficult for us to follow these additional requirements while managing the fireworks activities for the enjoyment and safety of the attendees. After consulting with Converse County Public Health, it was agreed that cancelling the event is in the best interest of the volunteers as well as the attendees,” Brewer said.

 The fireworks celebration attracts attendees from Casper, Douglas and other communities around Wyoming. Brewer said while it is a difficult decision to make, it’s one that needed to be made soon to give the public ample time to be aware of the cancelation.

“We look forward to hosting the event next year and we hope that the community will understand our intent is to protect the health of the public by following the statewide health orders concerning the coronavirus (COVID-19).”

Brewer said the fire department continues to provide emergency response to the area communities’ businesses and residents.

Anyone with questions can call the fire department at 307-436-9745 or email via glenrockfirechief@gmail.com.