MOUNT VERNON – July 4, 2020 was supposed to be a historic day for Ariel-Foundation Park.
It was supposed to be the park’s five-year anniversary – a patriotic birthday bash where thousands would descend upon the grassy terraces and open-air event center to listen to live music, eat ice cream and watch the fireworks. The park opened July 4, 2015, and marketing director Carrie Haver warned last summer that “a really big celebration” was in store for 2020.
And it still might be. But according to park officials, the likelihood of that happening is growing slimmer due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’ve made some positive changes to improve the event, so we’re hoping that will go forward,” Haver said Monday. “But people are canceling things as far out as fall and winter, so we’re not really sure.”
The park announced the cancelation of several summer events on Monday, including Kids to Parks Day (May 16); the Knox Community Jazz Orchestra concert (May 31); the summer’s first Monday Movie Night (June 8); and the Popgun concert (June 19).
Some nearby communities have already canceled Fourth of July festivities.
Ontario did so April 7, with its festival director calling the decision “a pretty easy call.” Ontario’s festival attracts around 20,000 people each year, similar to the crowd at Ariel-Foundation Park, and concerns over social distancing and funding made the decision inevitable for festival organizers.
Orrville called off its Fourth of July celebration on April 15. The Orville Firefighters Association, which hosts the multi-faceted festival, said its staff would likely be too busy working on the front lines of the pandemic to host the festival this year.
Newark canceled its Independence Day Concert and Fireworks on April 16. The event, hosted by Ohio State University-Newark and Central Ohio Technical College, was called off “after careful deliberation and with a deep sense of responsibility for the well-being of our community,” a press release stated.
Meanwhile, other festivals have remained open to the possibility of having a 2020 celebration. Columbus’ Red, White and BOOM!, which attracts over 400,000 people each year, is still on for July 3. Mansfield’s Red, White & Blue Weekend at Charles Mill Lake Park has yet to be moved. Cleveland’s Light Up the Lake event is also still on.
In Mount Vernon, Haver said the Foundation Park Conservancy board has been meeting regularly to discuss the future of the event. The board and park staff members have been communicating with Knox Public Health and the City of Mount Vernon to develop a plan.
Haver said a decision on the event will likely be made in May.
“We do have to have a deposit to one of our main headliner bands on June 4, which is a month before, so some sort of decision’s going to have to happen by then,” Haver explained. “It may happen sooner if we learn some things from the health department.”
The main concern among event organizers, Haver said, is the size of the celebration. Last year, nearly 18,000 people packed Ariel-Foundation Park on July 4, with many congregating in the Schnormeier Event Center to watch the concerts that evening.
“There’s no way social distancing can happen with that large of a crowd,” Haver said.
The CDC and Ohio Department of Health have touted social distancing – keeping at least six feet in between people – as a key tactic to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which transfers through airborne particles. Ohio has prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people through May 1, in an effort to enforce the practice.
It’s unclear what the state’s guidance will be following May 1, but Gov. Mike DeWine has indicated in recent press conferences that social distancing will remain a part of the solution until a vaccine is invented.
Canceling the July 4 celebration would hurt Ariel-Foundation Park financially, Haver said, although she could not speculate on the overall cost. While the park would no longer have to foot production costs, such as band fees, it would still lose concession revenue.
“It’s our biggest event of the year,” Haver said. “We don’t have ticket income from the concert, but we make a lot of income from food vendors and alcohol sales. We’re going to take a hit on that, of course.”
The bigger concern for organizers, though, is the cultural impact of canceling the event. For the last five years, families from Knox County and beyond have made memories at the park on July 4. It’s an event that brings the community together, Haver said.
“It’s one of our signature events every year. And as a staff person, it makes me sad to think it might not happen,” Haver said. “I know how desperate our community is to have something like this, where we can come together and celebrate.”
Knox County Health Commissioner Julie Miller said she has been in communication with local festival organizers in recent weeks, providing guidance on how to handle the ever-changing circumstances.
She’s told organizers to determine “the last date you have to make that decision,” of whether or not to cancel an event. This will allow organizers to be proactive in planning.
She’s also encouraged organizers to think of different ways of hosting their event, while also complying with state health regulations.
“If you’re allowed to have the event, how can you make it look different and still follow the state’s guidance? Think of alternative ideas…” Miller said. “I have told people to get creative.”
Ariel-Foundation Park is keeping its options open at this point, Haver said. As the deadline gets closer, however, staff members are contemplating a summer without fireworks.
It would be especially disappointing this year, Haver said, as the fifth annual Independence Day celebration is set to include more family activities and food options than ever before. The Weight Band, a New York-based rock group, is slated to perform in the primetime slot.
“It was going to be more like the grand opening five years ago,” Haver said.
Now, as the coronavirus continues to spread across Ohio, the July 4 celebration hangs in the balance. Whatever decision is made, Haver said public safety will be at the forefront.
“We really just want our community to be safe and healthy, but we aren’t sure that can happen by that time,” Haver said. “We would love for [the event] to happen, and I know our community would love for it to happen… but we have to be cautious and safe.”
Status of concert series, Rastin Challenge also up in the air
Ariel-Foundation Park still hopes to host the last half of its Summer Concert Series, Haver said, even though its first two shows were canceled Monday. McGuffey Lane is scheduled to perform at the Schnormeier Event Center on July 18, and The McCartney Project is slated for Aug. 28. The Vaughn Wiester Famous Jazz Orchestra is scheduled to perform Sept. 6, followed by a children’s concert on Sept. 27 and the annual Jacket Jam on Oct. 27.
Park staff members are also optimistic about hosting the fifth annual Rastin Challenge on Aug. 22. While the Rastin Challenge is typically an event that honors first responders, Haver said organizers have discussed potentially adding healthcare workers, grocery store employees, mail carriers, and other COVID-19 frontline workers to the list.
“We have talked about an event that may be an alternative, that would still thank those folks right now who are most important,” Haver said.
Organizers will likely have to make a decision on the Rastin Challenge by June 1, Haver added, because the event “takes longer to plan and get registrations out.”
Meanwhile, the Rastin Tower and Urton Clock Museum will likely remain closed through May, Haver said Monday in a press release. The park is also “seeking solutions to open bathrooms up or find an alternative,” Haver said.
The park anticipates having limited physical fitness offerings this summer, starting in June, that will follow social distancing guidelines. The park also plans to offer its kayak safety course again this summer, although details are not yet finalized.
Community members are encouraged to use the park for exercise and relaxation, but are advised to maintain social distancing and follow state health guidelines.
Haver emphasized that public safety is at the forefront of all park event discussions. Given these unprecedented circumstances, she said park staff and board members are willing to make hard decisions if it means keeping the community safe.
“Our primary goal is the health and safety of our communities, our staff, and our event participants,” Haver said in a statement.
