SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- One of San Diego’s biggest yearly events has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the Port of San Diego and the producer of the Big Bay Boom announced Friday that the 2020 live fireworks show “will not go on as planned this coming Fourth of July.”
The decision was made “in alignment with the State of California’s Stay-at-Home Order prohibiting large events and gatherings, and prioritizing public health.”
Port of San Diego CEO Randa Coniglio said, “Half a million people look forward to the Big Bay Boom each year, and it’s big business for our San Diego Bay waterfront tenants. Ultimately, public health is most important, and we must follow state public health directives which say large public events are not allowed and aren’t likely to be allowed for some time. We look forward to the return of this celebratory and captivating event in 2021.”
Organizers said this year’s version of the Big Bay Boom will be a virtual one that is part of a TV special, but no details were available.
“More than 125,000 households throughout Southern California and Baja watched the 2019 Big Bay Boom on television -- making it the most watched locally produced special in the country. This year, we’re focusing all our efforts on the TV special and plan to include even more content to celebrate our nation’s independence,” Big Bay Boom Executive Producer Sandy Purdon said.
The cancellation of the Big Bay Boom is not the only Fourth of July event shut down by the pandemic -- Independence Day celebrations in Coronado and Imperial Beach have also been canceled due to the outbreak.
