Planning underway for Fourth of July celebration

Published 12:36 pm Friday, June 19, 2020

Plans are quickly evolving for a fireworks celebration July 3 at Lykins Park.
Unlike past years, this would be a fireworks-only event, and family groups would be asked to stay at least six feet apart.
Tuesday, Mayor Ed Burtner told the Winchester Board of Commissioners plans for the event had come together quickly.
“This has developed over the last day or so,” he said.
There was a meeting Monday between Burtner, Police Chief Kevin Palmer, Judge-Executive Chris Pace and Health Department Director Becky Kissick to see if an event was possible this year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Becky said, based on the safe at work protocols, she felt if all we did was set off fireworks at night” with appropriate social distancing that it would be OK, Burtner said.
The city and county traditionally split the cost of the fireworks, and the Clark County Fiscal Court is scheduled to discuss the matter next week.
Burtner said there would be no vendors, no food for sale and no concert as in the past.
Parking was also a concern, and they would try to space cars six feet apart.
There are other options, though.
“There’s a significant number of people that park on Veterans Memorial Parkway or on the school district property,” he said.
The commission voted unanimously to have the event on Friday, July 3. Burtner said Pace favored that day, and a licensed fireworks crew led by Daniel Konstantopoulos would be available as well.

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About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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