For the second year in a row, the city of Baltimore will not ring in the New Year with Inner Harbor fireworks, the mayor’s office announced today.
“As much as we’d like to kick off the New York with a fireworks celebration, after reviewing the logistics, costs, and other considerations given our recent Labor Day fireworks event, the City has decided not to proceed with fireworks this New Year,” said Ted Carter, Deputy Mayor for Community and Economic Development, in a statement. “We are planning on returning to a more predictable, traditional schedule in 2022 as we continue to emerge from COVID-19 and resume normal event planning.”
Last year, city officials cited public health concerns and precautions against the spread of COVID-19 as reasons for cancelling fireworks at the start of 2021. The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, which produces the Inner Harbor fireworks display for the city “acknowledges and supports the Mayor’s Office and the City of Baltimore’s difficult decision,” according to a release it issued today.
The Inner Harbor fireworks display is the latest of several BOPA-produced events that have been canceled in 2021, along with Artscape and the Baltimore Book Festival.
City officials point to other holiday events and activities that are moving ahead in person in Baltimore, starting with the annual lighting of the Washington Monument on Thursday, December. 2, from 5 p. m. to 8 p.m. Other activities include: the Inner Harbor Ice Rink; the Christmas Village on the Inner Harbor’s west shore, and the candy-themed Candy Lane experience at Center Plaza. More information is available at godowntownbaltimore.com/events/ and promotionandarts.org.
Doh! We just booked a hotel room.