Northbrook trustees douse already-rescheduled Fourth of July fireworks

Northbrook's annual fireworks show appears to be another victim of COVID-19.

In his report during Tuesday's village board meeting, Village Manager Richard Nahrstadt voiced his reservations about holding the event, which this spring had been rescheduled -- also due to the pandemic -- from the Fourth of July holiday to Sept. 5.

"Given the fact that we're in Phase 4 and it doesn't look like we're coming out of Phase 4 anytime soon, given that we're starting to see some of the numbers in the state start to rise -- and again, as a reminder, in Phase 4 you can have up to 250 people that can get together in groups of 50 -- I'm very concerned about if we try to do the fireworks, especially where we normally have them at Meadowhill Park, that we are going to have a hard time keeping people safe and socially distanced," Nahrstadt said.

He checked with nearby towns, including Deerfield, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lincolnshire and Wheeling, which all have canceled fireworks around Labor Day, he said.

Nahrstadt said a $47,000 contract to hold the fireworks was nearing the end of a negotiated 30-day grace period.

"I'm inclined to recommend canceling, but I just wanted to sort of take the temperature of the board," he said.

The board was cool on continuing with the fireworks this year.

Trustee Johannah Hebl said that, considered alongside the start of the 2020-21 school year, "it would be pretty irresponsible if the village actually threw money and somehow made the situation worse."

Trustee Kathryn Ciesla wondered about possibly holding them during a "unique" time, such as New Year's Eve. Nahrstadt said that would have to be explored.

"My suggestion," said Village President Sandra Frum, "is we go ahead and cancel for Labor Day because I think that's the question, and that if staff, and we, decide for staff to continue looking at other options, then we can then have a new contract at that point. There's just no way we can have it on Labor Day.

"But I agree with Kathryn (Ciesla)," she said. "I'd love to have it at some point if the situation allows us to do so."