Lincolnshire officials plan to go ahead with the village’s traditional “Red, White & BOOM!” celebration on July 4, although the event has been shortened to one day and includes some pandemic-driven adjustments.
Officials say the event this year will be more like a concert in the park than the carnivals of past years.
Red, White & Boom! returns this year after being paused in 2020 amid concerns over the novel coronavirus pandemic and with a statewide stay-at-home order in place. Mayor Elizabeth Brandt said last June — about two weeks before the festival would have started — the event could not go on due to health and safety concerns.
Now, the one-day event scheduled to begin with the annual running of the town’s 5K race hosted by the Rotary Club of Lincolnshire. The race is set to start at 7 a.m. in Spring Lake Park and will follow what officials call its traditional route. A parade is to follow, stepping off at 11 a.m. near the Lincolnshire Swim Club and following its 2019 route to end at Spring Lake Park, according to village plans for the Independence Day commemoration.
No events are scheduled after the parade until 4:30 p.m., when the action will shift to North Park. Activities there are scheduled to include live music, entertainers like balloon artists and a magician moving through the crowd, a car show, bingo, and food and beverages from local restaurants and organizations, according to village plans.
The day’s events conclude with a fireworks show, shot off from the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, according to village plans. Village officials say this year’s show will feature fireworks at higher elevations to improve visibility. A map of available viewing locations is expected to be published.
As the pandemic continues – though infection rates have reportedly fallen and more people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 – officials state on the village website
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that Lincolnshire will “follow public health guidelines in place” at the time of the daylong festival. Additionally, village staff is set to paint large circles in the grass near the live music venue where families will be able to set up blankets, chairs and tables, according to village plans.Graydon Megan is a freelancer.