NOTTINGHAM, MD—An annual fireworks display has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Fullerton Fireworks Foundation on Friday announced that their 2020 Fourth of July fireworks show would be cancelled this year.

“In light of the situation we are facing locally and nationally with COVID-19, the board has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s fireworks celebration,” the board announced on Friday. “We are doing this as a safety measure to protect lives. Even though smaller gatherings of 50 people or less may be allowed in the near future, we see no way to guarantee the safety of over 12,000 citizens sitting shoulder-to-shoulder to watch the event.”

“We will hopefully see all of you in 2021,” the announcement concluded. “Stay Safe, and thank you for supporting the Fullerton Fireworks Foundation for nearly 60 years!”

The Kingsville Independence Day Parade has also been cancelled this year due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.