Arlington Independence Day Parade canceled for 1st time, due to coronavirus concerns
The Arlington Independence Day Parade has been canceled as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Tarrant County.
The parade, which was set to take place on July 4 and pass through downtown Arlington, was to be the 55th year of the longest-running event in Arlington, according to Arlington 4th Of July Association website. In previous years, the parade has attracted about 75,000 spectators.
On Thursday, Tarrant County passed 10,000 coronavirus cases with a single-day record 517 cases and three more deaths, all in Arlington. The county now has 10,363 COVID-19 cases, including 218 deaths and at least 4,771 recoveries.
As of Wednesday, the county reported 339 confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations and 90 ICU patients.
Parade organizers had worked alongside local health officials on plans to put on an event that would be safe to attend, but the rising cases, hospitalizations and Tarrant County’s new order that requires face coverings at outside gatherings with more than 100 people prompted the association to cancel the event.
Initially, organizers had their safety plan approved by the Governor’s Office, which included social distancing, hand sanitizing, encouraging face coverings and staying home if people felt sick.
Kevin Donovan, Arlington 4th of July Association Board president, said in a press release that it wouldn’t be prudent to invite tens of thousands of people downtown during a pandemic.
“We didn’t want to contribute to the spike in cases in any way,” Donovan said.
Arlington residents can still look forward to fireworks at 9:30 p.m. on July 3 in the Entertainment District, just north of Globe Life Field. Globe Life Field, AT&T Stadium, and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor will have parking lots open starting at 8 p.m. so families can set up to watch the show.
People are encouraged to remain at or around their vehicles, social distance, wear a mask and sanitize their hands.
This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 6:09 PM.
