4th of July Blast Committee Announces Celebration Cancellation

Jacksonville, IL – It is a sad day when an organization must cancel an event that an organization loves planning, especially when it comes to celebrating our nation’s freedom and independence – and that is exactly how the 4th of July Blast Committee felt when it became faced with the recent decision to cancel the 10th annual 4th of July Blast Celebration this year in Nichols Park.

    The Blast Committee started its planning the first of March for this very well-liked and highly attended celebration, this year being the 10th annual celebration – then the coronavirus pandemic hit – putting on hold future Committee planning and meetings. While the Committee agreed to keep hanging on and plan as they could, the pandemic kept pushing back further all plans and then came Governor Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan. According to Restore Illinois, large gatherings, like the 4th of July Blast Celebration, most likely would not be allowed until a vaccine was possible. It was at this point, with the many unknowns, that the Committee felt it necessary to protect the community from the spread of the virus and make the right call to cancel this year’s 4th of July Blast. Keeping everyone safe was and is the Committee’s ultimate priority. The Committee then agreed to plan the 2021 celebration bigger and better.

    The 4th of July Blast celebration events are centered with family in mind, especially children. The celebration includes many activities all day long at Nichols Park, always on the 4th of July. A favorite area is the Kid Zone where the whole day is loaded with children playing on water inflatables, entering game contests, getting their faces painted, and entertained by balloon artists, SuperHeroes Saving Smiles, and the Jacksonville Fire Department’s Fire Safety House. Kids can have a pony ride and feed animals at the Petting Zoo all while enjoying a favorite from the many food concessions, like a Grotto Bus corn dog, a lemonade shake up from Smiley’s Lemonade stand or maybe popcorn from Family Kettle Korn, BBQ from the Luai Grill, Dawg Haus’ famous hot dogs or a frozen pop from Frios.

    Families may participate in the 5K race or fishing tournament, play a game of bingo, watch the wiener dog races and pet contests, or visit the musical and talent entertainment acts on the main stage, all while waiting for the spectacular fireworks display in the evening.  While the Committee found the cancellation to be a difficult decision, it is the best decision in protecting and keeping safe the many people who annually attend the event.

    The 4th of July Blast Committee would like to thank their many wonderful community sponsors who financially support this annual event, and while the Committee did not seek out sponsorships this year, the Committee appreciates what sponsors do for Jacksonville and the community, and especially the 4th of July Blast Celebration.

    The Committee shares that the 4th of July Blast celebration is a separate event from the 4th of July parade and the 4th of July fireworks display; therefore, this notice is cancellation of the 4th of July Blast Celebration event only.