Lancaster will challenge the fireworks ban imposed on Monday by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health by hosting a public fireworks show on Saturday night.
The City Council voted to move the display forward at an emergency meeting Saturday, granting Mayor R. Rex Parris’ request for authority to issue a permit and sign a contract with a fireworks vendor for a show scheduled for 9 pm
“The city has considered all the risks and is confident in our ability to safely organize a program,” Parris wrote on the city’s Facebook page. “A show our residents deserve after a year of continuous challenges.”
“When you look around here, this city is the safest city in Los Angeles County. If you look at the amount of hospital admissions and our death rate, we are the safest city, ”Parris told KTLA-TV channel 5.
The mayor said the exhibit would be safe for the public while spectators remain in their vehicles or wear a mask when outside. He added that those who did not cover their faces would be cited.
“We absolutely know it, wear your mask, wash your hands, don’t touch your face and nobody needs to die. And nobody needs to close the United States, “he said.
A previous vendor who had planned to host the show at the Antelope Valley fairgrounds pulled out because of the county ban. The show is now planned for the Lancaster Soccer Center.
Officials do not allow the public to congregate there, but say it will be visible from locations across the city.
