Wakefield cancels most Fourth of July events

By P.J. GLISSON

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Wakefield — Fourth of July organizers in Wakefield confirmed Friday that the city’s hometown picnic, 50/50 fundraising and highly celebrated “Lightning on the Lake” fireworks have been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“It was a very tough decision — something that I don’t think anyone was happy to do,” said Mayor Dale White while speaking for the Fireworks Committee, which sponsors those events.

According to Ann Marie Cooney, who heads the town’s separate Fourth of July Committee, the fate of Wakefield’s parades and street dance were expected to be determined by Friday evening, but she said the status was “not looking good.”

“The state says you can do these things,” said White of the holiday events, “but then they give you a list of criteria.”

For instance, he said that visitors from out of town are expected to quarantine for two weeks, and that’s not really practical during such a festive time.

Moreover, both he and Cooney said crowd control would be quite a challenge with the number of people that typically want to attend the events. Cooney said that also applies to children’s games that generally take place after the regular parade and kids’ parade.

“How do you keep everybody separate?” asked White. “It’s very tough to do that. What also doesn’t help is we are a very elderly community.”

That applies more than ever to the fireworks, which White said “have gotten so huge over the years,” attracting thousands of people.

According to Sgt. James Revoyr of Michigan State Police Post 86, the open house that MSP typically offers on July 3 in Wakefield, also has been cancelled.

Denise Haas, who organizes the Hometown Variety Show, said a decision likely won’t be made until June, but hinted that — if nothing else — the organizers may consider an outdoor setting.

The run/walk around Sunday Lake also remains in limbo. Diane Oliver, one of the volunteers, said members of the Ironwood Kiwanis Club will make that decision.

“I do know they were only going to do it as a fun run if they did do it,” she said.

Chad Carlson, who organizes the bean bag tournaments for VFW Post 9084, said he’s not sure yet whether they will continue this year. “I would like to see it go forward,” he said, if social distancing can be achieved.

The Globe was unable by press time to get confirmation regarding the status of the Matt Ahonen Softball Tournament.

“It definitely was a hard decision,” said City Manager Rob Brown of the cancelations so far, but he added, “It was the right decision.”

On the lighter, brighter side, Cooney said “some thoughts are floating around” about alternative events, but no decisions have yet been made. She said it’s also possible that the Vintage Warbirds flyover might still take place.

Haas also favors alternative events and said she’s working on some ideas. “We need this for our psyche,” she said.

Regarding the expected disappointment at this year’s cancellations, White emphasized that it’s nobody’s fault, but rather just a case of bad timing. “I’m sorry, people, but it is what it is,” he concluded, adding, “We’ll return next year, better than ever.”