The city has canceled its annual Canby Independence Day Celebration in Wait Park for the second straight year due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
Though restrictions are (gradually) loosening in parts of the state as the vaccine rollout continues, Clackamas County remains in the high-risk tier of the governor’s reopening matrix.
Complicating the matter is the fact that planning for the massive celebration takes over six months — typically starting in January.
“Given the ever-evolving and dynamic Covid directives, unfortunately, it became apparent the City would need to cancel the 2021 Canby Independence Day Celebration,” City Administrator Scott Archer said in a press release.
“Event planning for Independence Day begins in January and, even though restrictions have loosened, there were no assurances in place that the risk sector guidance would allow for this – or any – event to occur. I am looking forward to next year when we can gather again and celebrate as a community.”
The Canby Fire District will also not be holding its annual fireworks display at Baker Prairie Middle School this year, and encourages residents who do private displays to be mindful of personal and wildfire safety.
Other groups will be active on the Fourth of July weekend, such as the Canby Farmer’s Market, which is planning a two-day event.
Last year’s July Fourth market was the busiest day in the event’s history, and the community had no shortage of fireworks — with private citizens lighting the skies with patriotic displays well into the night.
The city has not yet decided the fate of its other events this summer, like First Thursdays in downtown Canby or the Big Night Out Street Dance at the end of August.
“We are eagerly watching how the directives are amended as we enter into summer,” Economic Development Director Jamie Stickel said. “The Big Night Out Street Dance is a much smaller event, and we feel comfortable waiting until early July to make any decisions about whether we can host the event or not.”