Fireworks show called off at Columbia Fireflies stadium as COVID-19 cases spike
The Columbia Fireflies plans for a movie and fireworks on July 4 have been scrapped because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Days after announcing plans for the festivities, the minor league baseball team postponed the event as cases of COVID-19 continue to spike across South Carolina.
The July 4 celebration was going to include replaying the Fireflies game from July 3, 2019, followed by a screening of “The Sandlot,” and with a fireworks display at the end to cap off the holiday.
Fireflies officials said plans were in place to follow social distancing mandates. That included limiting admission to 1,200 people at Segra Park — which has a capacity of 15,000 for non-baseball events — with half on the field and the rest spread out in seats, boxes, and the stadium’s pavilion.
But based on data from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control that has shown an average of 1,223 new cases of COVID-19 in the past week, and the percentage of positive tests rising above 20%, plans were changed.
“Out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our community the Fireflies have decided to postpone the event,” officials said on the team’s Facebook page.
The team said it’s hoping to announce plans for another movie night in the coming weeks, adding anyone who bought a ticket for the July 4 event will get an email Monday.
Smaller events, like American Legion baseball games and restaurant nights, are still scheduled to be held at Segra Park, team officials said.
On Sunday, 1,366 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed by health officials. That brings the overall total to 33,221 positive tests in South Carolina since March, according to DHEC. With five additional deaths reported by DHEC, the death toll in S.C. has risen to 712.
In the Midlands, 3,344 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Richland County, and another 1,965 positive tests have been recorded in Lexington County.
Other fireworks displays are still being held in the Midlands this weekend.
One will be the the Town of Lexington for an Independence Day Celebration fireworks display on July 3. A concert was originally planned for the event, but that was canceled while the fireworks are still slated because it allows people to practice social distancing, as it can be viewed from miles away, spokeswoman Laurin Barnes said.
“We also thought this would be a great opportunity to bring the community together, while staying apart, to celebrate our independence,” Barnes said.
On Saturday, the Lake Murray 4th of July Fireworks show will be held with similar social distancing mandates. The fireworks show is synchronized to a music show on 97.5 FM through iHeart Media, Lexington officials said.
The Irmo parking lot at the Lake Murray Dam will be open all day on a first come to capacity basis and there is a $5 fee per vehicle, according to officials. The Lexington parking lot at the Lake Murray dam is not open at this time.
The July 4 fireworks show at Newberry High School, but spectators will not be able to gather on the campus or use and facilities, the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office said. The show is scheduled to start around 9 p.m. and WKDK 1240 AM has agreed to provide music for the show.
This story was originally published June 29, 2020 at 8:24 AM.
