The City of Owensboro is restructuring its annual All-American Fourth of July event amid the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing guidelines.

In order to comply with guidelines put forth by Governor Beshear, the City is altering plans for its annual downtown holiday celebration, and will instead launch fireworks simultaneously in numerous locations within the city limits. The display will take place on Friday, July 3 at 9:15pm.

“This year, instead of 15,000 people gathering along our riverfront, we are bringing the celebration to you,” said Tim Ross, Director of Public Events for the City of Owensboro. “It’s a unique situation, but we still wanted the community to be able to celebrate the holiday together, while avoiding massive crowds. You can stay at home and enjoy a barbecue picnic with your family and friends, or drive to a parking lot near one of the launch locations and still enjoy a great fireworks show.  If people do decide to view from a parking lot or area near a launch location, we ask that you maintain 6’ social distancing from other families.”

At 9:15pm on Friday, July 3, the fireworks show will be launched from eight (8) locations around Owensboro in an effort to allow the entire community to celebrate together. These locations include Jack C. Fisher Park, Centre Court, Owensboro Sportscenter/Moreland Park, Southern Little League, the former Owensboro Health hospital, the former GE plant, and the Ohio River in downtown Owensboro. Owensboro Country Club will also synchronize its display to coincide with the other shows. Spectators can tune in to 92.5 FM WBKR to listen to the soundtrack to which the fireworks have been choreographed. The 10-12 minute fireworks show will be shorter in duration than the normal riverfront show in order to accommodate the multiple locations throughout the City.

For the safety of the public and the pyrotechnic professionals, the secure fireworks launch sites will not be open to the public. People attempting to watch from the launch sites will cause the fireworks at that location to be halted.  

“We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day with our community,” said Mayor Tom Watson. “In this time of uncertainty, when so many special events are being cancelled, we’re proud to offer this creative alternative to kick off the holiday weekend.”

The Mini Meet East (MME 2020) has selected Owensboro for their 2020 week long event beginning July 7th to Friday 10th.  We plan on 90 cars both new and old to attend from all over the East Coast and Canada. This will allow the residents of Owensboro to experience a "Mini British Invasion" at Smothers Park.

Arts and crafts show with food trucks

JULY 21, 2020 – 4:30 P.M.

MUNICIPAL ROAD AID FUND/LOCAL GOVERNMENT

ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FUND

A Special Called Meeting of the Owensboro Board of Commissioners will be held at City Hall, 101 E. 4^th Street, Owensboro, KY in the Commission Chambers on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 beginning at 4:30 p.m.  The purpose of the meeting is to conduct a public hearing on the City of Owensboro’s use of the Municipal Road Aid Fund $1,040,922 and the use of the Local Government Economic Assistance Fund $55,000 as contained in the General Fund of Annual Budget for 2020-2021.

Due to social distancing guidelines related to COVID-19 public attendance will not be permitted at the meetings. No primary location will be set for public attendance as per Kentucky OAG 20-05. The public is encouraged to watch the meeting live on Facebook @CityofOwensboro or at www.owensboro.org. Public comments can be submitted prior to the meetings to: cecilby@owensboro.org or on the Facebook live feed.

JULY 21, 2020 – 4:45 P.M.

AMENDED GATEWAY COMMONS TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (“TIF”) DEVELOPMENT AREA/DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Beginning at 4:45 p.m., a second Special Called Meeting of the Owensboro Board of Commissioners will be held at City Hall, 101 E. 4^th Street, Owensboro, KY in the Commission Chambers. The purpose of the meeting is to conduct a public hearing on the Amended Gateway Commons Tax Increment Financing (“TIF”) Development Area/Development Plan.

Due to social distancing guidelines related to COVID-19 public attendance will not be permitted at the meetings. No primary location will be set for public attendance as per Kentucky OAG 20-05. The public is encouraged to watch the meeting live on Facebook @CityofOwensboro or at www.owensboro.org. Public comments can be submitted prior to the meetings to: cecilby@owensboro.org or on the Facebook live feed.

JULY 21, 2020 – 5:00 P.M.

At 5:00 p.m., the Owensboro Board of Commissioners will convene in a Special Called Meeting to consider the following business: Approval of Minutes, Board Appointments, Financial Report, Personnel Appointments, and Municipal Orders; hear first reading of Ordinances, City Manager and Elected Officials Comments.

All agendas are attached and available online at owensboro.org.

Due to social distancing guidelines related to COVID-19 public attendance will not be permitted at the meetings. No primary location will be set for public attendance as per Kentucky OAG 20-05. The public is encouraged to watch the meeting live on Facebook @CityofOwensboro or at www.owensboro.org. Public comments can be submitted prior to the meetings to: cecilby@owensboro.org or on the Facebook live feed.