- January 31, 2025
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The city of Ormond Beach will not be holding its “Light Up Labor Day” celebration on Sept. 5 due to COVID-19, but commissioners have asked city staff to explore alternate dates closer to the holiday season.
“Light Up Labor Day” was the result of the city delaying its Fourth of July fireworks, hoping conditions would have improved by September. Seeing as that may not happen, City Manager Joyce Shanahan asked for direction on whether to cancel the firework show during the virtual meeting on Tuesday, July 28.
Mayor Bill Partington said he hated the idea of canceling, but that they may have to out of “an abundance of caution.”
“Since this virus is still washing through, hopefully we’re at the tail end of it but we don’t want to do anything that might fire back up a resurgence,” Partington said.
City Commissioners Dwight Selby and Susan Persis offered alternative dates for the show: Over Thanksgiving weekend or at the start of the annual Christmas parade. Selby said it could be used to kick-off the holiday season.
Shanahan would have to notify Fireworks by Santore, by Aug. 14. The commission will make a decision at its next meeting on Aug. 4.
The city had previously budgeted $58,000 for the show, plus an additional $7,000 for a five-minute grand finale.
Future of special event permits
In light of the Biketoberfest, City Manager Joyce Shanahan sought feedback from the City Commission on whether or not to issue special event permits.
With the city under a declaration of emergency, the decision is ultimately Shanahan’s to take, but a discussion will take place during the Aug. 4 virtual commission meeting.
Shanahan said she wanted to make a decision early so as not to find themselves in the same position as Bike Week, where Daytona pulled its permits at the last minute.
Volusia County Schools have delayed the start of athletic practices.
Originally, practices were scheduled to begin July 27, but are now tentatively set to start on Aug. 17, depending on COVID-19 data, according to a VCS press release.
A county press release stated census takers will start visiting homes in mid-August. About 78,000 households in Volusia have yet to complete a census questionnaire. You can complete your form by visiting my2020census.gov or calling 844-330-2020.
