Elkhart cancels fireworks at Rice Field

ELKHART, Ind. -- The city of Elkhart has cancelled the July 4th fireworks show at Rice Field.

Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore says he hated to do it, but the dry conditions made it a necessity and the responsible thing to do.

"We have 100-degree temperatures, 15 to 20 mile per hour winds, and acres and acres of ultra dry grass. We just have to do something to protect our people and our property.  And so we made the decision," said Mayor Moore.

"We know that there's an element of our society -- maybe I'm in that element -- that will certainly miss having the fireworks. But it's just... public safety has to be a little bit more important than that."

The decision to cancel came after a fire near the Elkhart Airport. The mayor says a car dragging a muffler kicked up enough sparks to start grass fire.

There will still be alternate festivities. An Army band will perform at the McNaughton Park Band Shell. There will also be a floatilla on the upper St. Joseph River.

The mayor also said that the fireworks will be rescheduled for a later date, possibly on Labor Day.

The city commissioners will meet to talk about possibly banning all fireworks.

Marshall County already banned all personal fireworks.

All our counties in Indiana are under a burn ban and fireworks is strongly discouraged.

For a complete list of burn bans in our visit here.