Othello 4th of July celebration canceled

OTHELLO — The annual Fourth of July celebration put on by the Othello Chamber of Commerce has been canceled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the chamber is tentatively planning to hold a fall festival on Oct. 10.

Sharon Skorick, Othello Chamber of Commerce manager, said recently that the chamber has wanted to do a fall festival for some time. The event would feature all the same activities that Othello residents have come to expect of the Fourth of July celebration as well as some new events, such as a volleyball tournament. The hope is that by October, all COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted.

Though the daytime Fourth of July events won’t be held, the fireworks show will continue as usual. The fireworks will be set off from the baseball field at 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4.

“It’s something that the people of the community, and around America, want to feel normal,” said Othello Mayor Shawn Logan.

The Othello City Council has approved $13,000 in the 2020 budget for the fireworks.

— Rachal Pinkerton