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Visitors are invited to participate in day full of celebration tomorrow in Seward, Nebraska’s official 4th of July city. But all events are virtual this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The annual Independence Day celebration draws an estimated 50,000 visitors to the eastern Nebraska city.
But the Fourth of July committee cancelled the in-person events at the end of May, concerned about the pandemic and limited by distancing orders.
Those restrictions have loosened considerably since that decision, but Chairman Clark Kolterman says they didn’t consider re-instating the cancelled events.
"People come out to expect the Fourth of July on the Fourth of July and it wouldn’t be the same," Kolterman said. "So we decided we’re not doing it this year."
But Kolterman says almost every event will be streamed live on their Facebook page – so visitors can enjoy festivities all day long.
"From the anvil firing, to the flag raising, various concerts throughout the day, the dancers, the apple pie eating contest," Kolterman said. "A canon firing at the National Guard museum, tours of the National Guard Museum, virtual tour of the Rivoli theater, which we’re celebrating their 100th anniversary this year."
All those events, plus a fireworks show in the evening, will be posted on the Seward Nebraska 4th of July Celebration Facebook Page.
Kolterman says next year’s event will have twice the celebration.