Rotary Fourth fireworks and fundraiser gets City approval at June 2 meeting
BY TERRY SCHMIDA
KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER
The rockets’ red glare won’t be missing from Key Westers’ celebration of the Glorious Fourth this year.
Though the decades-long tradition of Independence Day fireworks has seen its share of headwinds in years past, nothing has ever threatened the event as seriously as COVID-19.
At the June 2 virtual City Commission meeting, it was decided to proceed with the spectacular fireworks – sponsored by the Rotary Club of Key West – but with the understanding that it will include social distancing measures. The discussion took place as part of a larger dialogue around the reopening of Monroe County to tourists and the businesses they support. What was at one point referred to as the “world situation” continues to filter down to Keys residents by way of Tallahassee, Washington, and other places out of their control.
And though City Manager Greg Veliz plans to continue spending his days deciding upon the best way to stay current with the city’s obligations to the County and state of Florida, the issue of the Fourth had to be settled.
“We are bringing the agreement before you this evening,” Veliz assured the commissioners.
The plan, which received unanimous support from the Commissioners, is to enforce the social distancing of small groups of people, while designing the display to be easier to see up and down the south side of the island.
“How do you social distance with that many people?” Mayor Teri Johnston asked.
Veliz had two answers.
“Along that stretch from 1800 [Atlantic condos] . . . down to the Casa Marina,” is where he said he envisioned keeping crowds “in small clusters of 10 people or less,” with Key West Police and Code Enforcement Officers taking a role in helping to keep a safe distance between people amid the frivolity.
At a certain point however, Veliz said he expected citizens to “take personal responsibility” for themselves, and use common sense in making safety decisions.
The substance of that remark was also evident in later comments by City Attorney Shawn Smith, who also urged people to be cautious of safety while having fun.
Besides the elaborate annual fireworks display, the agreement also authorized Rotary to conduct its annual fundraiser at the adjacent McCoy Indigenous Park, beginning at 3 p.m. on the Fourth.
The resolution passed by the Commissioners doesn’t mention face masks or social distancing measures specifically, but does state that the “authorization may be revoked by this Commission, or the City Manager, due to exigent circumstances such as the resurgence of COVID-19 in the community.”
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