No Independence Day fireworks in 2020, mayor says

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  • Fireworks/ File photo
    Fireworks/ File photo
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Celebration cancelled only once before, records show

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Mayor John Sellers has decided to cancel the Independence Day celebration in 2020 this weekend on the Celebration plaza after much consideration, according to a release from the city.

"It's unfortunate that we need to take these measures, but these are extraordinary times," Sellers said. "It's better to be safe than sorry, and we are confident that Hopkins County will continue to thrive during these extraordinary times, both physically and economically."

Citizen reactions to the decision were mixed. 

“Good!” said citizen Debra Bohannon. “People refuse to follow any kind of safety measures... you do what you have to to keep them from endangering others.”

“This is not freedom!” said citizen Cheryl Smith. “We don't have to go around a bunch of people to do the big fireworks show... if people can be [six] feet away from each other in the grocery store they can do it outside… With all due respect I think the mayor needs to change his mind.” 

Others said they believed the city should have been harsher on peaceful protests earlier in the month for racial equality, relating the two as gatherings of people. 

“Just call it a ‘protest’ and do it anyway,” said citizen Alejandro Estrada. “Apparently if you are protesting it makes you immune [to COVID-19].”

“The Juneteenth celebration went on, and protest marches went on,” said citizen Billy Turner. “What exactly is the difference? A celebration is a celebration, a gathering is a gathering. Don’t pick and choose and pander.” 

Historical records from the News-Telegram and the now-defunct Sulphur Springs Gazette indicate that Independence Day celebrations have only formally been cancelled once in Hopkins County, in 1987.

Throughout the early 1900s, historical records indicate that individual communities, families and churches held fireworks displays. Accounts of successful shows at Arbala and Peerless graced the News-Telegram in the 1920s.

But the paper also carried warnings, as fireworks were still very dangerous up until the mid-1950s and killed several East-Texans every Independence Day season. In 1925, the Hopkins County fire chief warned citizens via the newspaper that 215 Texans were killed the previous year celebrating the country’s independence. 

The 1940s and 1950s saw the city and county implementing guidelines for fireworks. In 1954, records show Hopkins County would only allow fireworks with 50 milligrams or less of explosives to be lit. These are commonly known as M-80s or cherry bombs. Under the Child Protection Act of 1966, most fireworks in present day hold 3 mg or less of explosives. 

There is no mention of cancelled Independence Day celebrations due to the Hopkins County polio outbreak in the summer of 1952, although the outbreak began at the end of July of that year. There is also no mention of cancelled celebrations during World War II, despite lack of gunpowder to make firecrackers. 

A 1961 ordinance banned the selling or setting off fireworks within city limits. The fine for violating this ordinance was up to $200 per day. In 1976, the city of Sulphur Springs began to coordinate fireworks displays at Lake Sulphur Springs (then called Helm Lake) with the Young Farmers Association. 

However, in 1987, the Young Farmers Association was not able to obtain sufficient insurance for the fireworks display at the lake, and had to cancel the display that year. 

In 1993, the city first moved the display to the Celebration Plaza, and closed off Gilmer and Connally Streets. By 1995 the Northeast Texas Symphony joined the celebration. 

Although the Independence Day celebration as we currently know it has existed for approximately 25 years, Hopkins County has a long tradition of celebrating patriotically. Some citizens expressed they hoped local fireworks stands would benefit from the business, and perhaps residents will return to celebrating the same way they did 100 years ago, albeit with less firepower.