After a year of silence, the Fourth of July is back in Seward.
But this year’s celebration has suffered a few “Covid casualties,” according to Clark Kolterman.
The biggest one is the trolleys. For the past decade, trolleys have transported Fourth of July visitors from parking on the north side of Seward to the celebration grounds in the center of town.
“They have become an asset to the festival,” Kolterman said.
As organizers put this year’s festival together, Trolley Committee Chair Brad Bowen expressed safety concerns when it came to groups on the trolleys. In a letter to the Fourth of July Committee dated May 5, Bowen said for safety, each trolley should probably carry no more than 10 people as opposed to the 30-35 it normally carries. In looking at vaccination statistics, Bowen said the risk was too great.
“If we offer trolley transportation this July 4th, most of the riders will be at risk for obtaining and spreading COVID-19,” Bowen said.
Kolterman said the volunteers who serve as conductors on the trolleys didn’t want to risk exposing any visitors to covid.
Kolterman said the trolleys will return for the 2022 celebration, but for 2021, those headed downtown for activities will have to make other transportation plans.
“We did without the trolleys for 40 years,” he said with a smile.
Two other festival staples will be absent this year, as well. The air show was an early casualty of Covid, Kolterman said.
Because show organizers didn’t know how they would handle covid stipulations, the show was canceled for 2021.
The carnival was another early casualty, Kolterman said.
“It’s a coup to have a carnival any more,” he said. “With covid, there are fewer carnivals.”
Meetings with the Department of Health and Human Services helped answer other questions.
The parade was the first concern for event organizers, Kolterman said. Paradegoers are encouraged to maintain social distances if they’re concerned about possible covid spread, he said.
Parade entries will be able to distribute candy, but the sweets may not be thrown from the entry. They must be handed to the paradegoers. Alcohol is not allowed in the parade, nor are water spray devices or water balloons.
A couple of Humanities Nebraska speakers were unavailable because of covid concerns, but Kolterman said new programs will fill those slots.
“If people are concerned, wear a mask or don’t come,” he said.
Kolterman was looking forward to honoring Hughes Brothers for a century in Seward.
“They do so much for the community,” he said, adding that the company is working on a unique float for the parade.
Overall, however, Kolterman said the day will be similar to past Fourths.
“We’re thrilled to have the Fourth,” he said. “It’s an honor to get to show off our community.”
