Amid the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak, several July 4th celebrations, including fireworks displays and other events, have either been cancelled or postponed.
However, several cities, towns and villages in parts of the country are hosting fireworks shows with restrictions and other safety measures in place, including social distancing and face covering requirements.
Here we look at some places where you can view fireworks as part of July 4th celebrations across the country this year.
New York
The annual Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks event in New York City has been recreated as a series of smaller displays in a bid to allow residents to experience the event safely without creating crowds.
Through July 4th, fireworks displays will be launched unannounced on selected evenings across the five New York City boroughs. Lasting only five minutes long, each of the fireworks displays will feature thousands of shells reaching heights up to 1,000 feet, the Macy's website notes.
"Each show is brief and will be over before residents can gather at its source. The displays will be launched from one or two land or water based locations over the course of the week-long celebration covering every borough of New York City," the website states.
The series kicked off in the borough of Queens this Monday, while two more displays were launched Tuesday, which could be viewed from Lower Manhattan and the northern part of Staten Island. Wednesday saw fireworks launched over Times Square in Midtown Manhattan.
The series will culminate with a grand finale on July 4, which will be televised.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said: "These past few months have been some of the most difficult in our city's history, and New Yorkers are looking for a break. This 4th of July Celebration with Macy's will give all New Yorkers a safe and exciting way to enjoy the holiday together, even when we are apart."
California
A fireworks show will be launched over Lake Elsinore in Riverside County. The event will begin at 9 p.m. local time, shooting off from the T-peninsula. Visitors with their own boat can purchase a night boating pass to watch the fireworks from the lake on their boat. See full details at the Lake Elsinore website.
The Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base in the city of Los Alamitos will be hosting the Drive-Up 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular event, where guests can view a fireworks display from inside their vehicle. All vehicles will need to check-in, which will entail an I.D. check, temperature check and health screenings for all individuals inside each vehicle.
All adults and minors are required to wear a face covering and practice social distancing at all times during the event. All guests will be instructed to remain inside the vehicle and to not walk around the event area except to use one of the portable restrooms on site.
During the fireworks show, which begins at 9 p.m. local time, all visitors will be encouraged to either stay inside their vehicle or directly in front of their vehicle to view the display.
The town of Apple Valley in San Bernardino County will be launching its fireworks display at Brewster Park. The park will be gated and locked to prevent spectators from gathering to view the show.
Those who wish to get a closer look are advised to do so "from the safety of their vehicle in an open space area. Spectators are urged to obey all traffic laws and to refrain from parking on private property," the Apply Valley town website states. The 18-minute fireworks display will kick off at 9 p.m. local time.
Illinois
A drive-in fireworks display will be held at the Frontier Sports Complex in Naperville, a suburb of Chicago, from 9:30 - 10 p.m. local time on July 4. Guests can access parking at the 906 parking spaces of the complex or at Neuqua Valley High School.
The village of Spring Grove in McHenry County will host a drive-in fireworks event from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time on July 4 at the Richardson Adventure Farm. Admission is priced at $20 per car. Guests will be encouraged to remain in their cars or to bring chairs to sit adjacent to their vehicles.
The village of Oswego in Kendall County is launching its annual July 4 fireworks display at Prairie Point Park at 9 p.m. local time. Spectators will be required to maintain social distancing practices while viewing the show.
Pennsylvania
The city of Allentown in eastern Pennsylvania is hosting a drive-in fireworks event at Dorney Park and Coca-Cola Park.
Admission at Dorney Park costs $10 per vehicle, with the parking lot open from 7:30 p.m. local time while the show begins at 9:30 p.m. local time.
"For the safety of our guests and associates, a face covering must be worn at all times if sitting outside your car. All guests must be mindful of social distancing and remain 6ft (2m) from other parties," the Dorney Park website advises.
Admission to the drive-in fireworks event at Coca-Cola Park costs from $10 to $15 per car. The show will be displayed on July 3 and 4 at 9:15 p.m. local time. Masks are required for entry into the ballpark to use the restrooms.
Colorado
The town of Berthoud will be launching a fireworks display on July 3 at Waggener Farm Park, which will be surrounded by a "safe zone" border, from which residents will be restricted entry. This year, the show will "launch the fireworks higher into the sky so they can be seen from a greater distance," to allow better viewing from homes.
"There will be no dedicated viewing or parking areas. If residents choose to drive to an area and park to view the show, the town asks that everyone be considerate of homeowners and aware of the safety of others–do not block driveways or exits and save space for emergency vehicles to pass," the Berthoud town website notes.
The city of Colorado Springs will also feature a series of 10 different fireworks shows across the Pikes Peak region of El Paso County, which will be synced to the music of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. See a list of the show locations and radio stations where the music will be broadcast here.
The town of Vail will also host a 10-minute fireworks display on July 4 from 9:45 p.m. local time. The show can be viewed in several ways including from your local hotel, lodge or condo if you have a view of Vail Mountain or from your own vehicle in one of the parking areas.
Others can view it from a designated location with capacity limits. "These areas will be monitored and allow a select number of guest's access based on current public health guidelines and social distancing guidelines in place," the Vail town website states.
Other suggested viewing points include the Lionshead ski yard, Mountain Plaza ski yard and the lower lawn at Golden Peak, as well as from the neighborhoods nearby.
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Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel and health.
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