Nashville is beginning to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic, but not in time for the annual July 4th celebration. The city, which typically hosts one of the largest Independence Day celebrations in the country, complete with an elaborate fireworks display accompanied by the Nashville Symphony, along with a star-studded concert, will air the fireworks on TV instead.
“The community deserves a celebration and our health care and frontline workers deserve to be honored,” Butch Spyridon, President and CEO of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp said in a statement (via The Tennessean). “Music City has consistently had one of the largest July 4th celebrations in the nation, and while the crowds will be asked to stay home this year and our fireworks display will be minimal, we still wanted to find a way to celebrate our country and our city during this difficult time.”
The hour-long fireworks show, which will honor local health care workers and first responders, will air on July 4 at 9 PM CT on News Channel 5. The fireworks display will be accompanied by a soundtrack, pre-recorded, of local musicians. Spectators will not be allowed in city parks during the fireworks display.
Last year’s event, headlined by Brett Eldredge, drew more than 343,000 people to downtown Nashville for the show. Brad Paisley, who was set to headline the concert this year, will instead headline the 2021 July 4th celebration instead.
The news comes as businesses begin to reopen. Both John Rich’s Redneck Riviera and Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row are currently open for business, with more businesses expected to shortly follow suit.