Fort Worth suburb pumps the brakes on fireworks, summer activities amid coronavirus
Bedford is putting the brakes on summer activities and postponing the popular Blues & BBQ festival until next year as concerns grow about the city’s finances and people’s safety during the COVID-19 crisis.
During a special meeting Tuesday, the city council decided to shut down the Bedford Splash Aquatics Center, cancel summer camp and 4thFest and postpone the Bedford Blues and BBQ Festival until 2021.
“The city is looking at some bleak financial times right now,” councilwoman Ruth Culver said, referring to the decision to cancel the July 4th activities.
“The 4th is probably the toughest one to give up because of the patriotism. It doesn’t send the right message if we are furloughing people and then we go and shoot off fireworks,” Culver said.
Bedford and other Tarrant cities are seeing plummeting sales tax revenue and fewer dollars spent on tourism. Employees are furloughed and buildings are closed as a precaution to keep people safe during the pandemic.
Last week, Hurst decided to close its aquatics center and cancel its Stars & Stripes festivities which brings thousands of people to the city.
Council members said they had to consider Bedford’s finances and public safety. Several asked how social distancing would work with large crowds in open areas or when people are swimming at Bedford Splash.
When the council talked about the Blues and BBQ festival, there were suggestions to postpone it to 2021 and to explore offering different types of music to broaden its appeal.
Mayor Michael Boyter said social distancing means smaller crowds, and he also asked how it would be enforced.
“We don’t know if we will be able to congregate in mass,” Boyter said.
“If so, we will have to social distance which means less revenue and bring in a third of the audience,” Boyter said. “There is some prudence to this decision and prudence to pulling the plug.”
Bedford will also save money by canceling the events, which will help pay for essential services such as law enforcement. The city spends over $90,000 on the July 4th celebration and around $300,000 on the aquatics center.
A bright spot
The Library Drive-Up window has reopened and the tennis courts and city parks, including the dog park and linear trails, will open later this week, according to the city’s Facebook page.
But other buildings are still closed until further notice, including Bedford City Hall, the Boys Ranch Activity Center, Senior Center, Old Bedford School, the Law Enforcement Center and the Animal Shelter, but animal adoptions are available by appointment only.
Residents can also pay their water bills online and get permits over the phone.
This story was originally published May 6, 2020 at 6:16 PM.