Orrville Fourth of July events off

Orrville Firefighters Association has canceled this year’s July Fourth Celebration for safety and health reasons. The organization plans for “Fire in the Sky” to return next year and to be “bigger and better.” (ARCHIVE PHOTO)

 

DGKN staff report

ORRVILLE The Orrville Firefighters Association decided last week “after much soul searching and talks with our members” to cancel this year’s July 4th Celebration, according to a statement from the association.

“This will include the 12U Five Alarm Fast Pitch Classic Softball Tourna-ment, parade, carnival, 14U Fire in the Sky Softball Tournament and the fireworks show,” according to the statement posted on Facebook.

Along with events in Orrville, games are played in Kidron, and this year softball games were to return to Dalton.

“Please believe us that this was one of the hardest decisions we have had to make,” the announcement continues.

Over the past couple of months, the COVID-19 pandemic has shut down numerous events and has resulted in social distancing and statewide Stay at Home orders. The organization notes the celebration is canceled out of safety concerns for all involved from organizers and softball teams to residents and visitors but calls the cancellation this year a “temporary setback.”

“We will be back in full force with the parade, carnival, softball and fireworks for 2021 with a bigger and better ‘Fire in the Sky’ than ever,” according to the statement.