The Austin Symphony has canceled its traditional Fourth of July concert with fireworks because of the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
The free event, downtown at Vic Mathias Shores/Auditorium Stores on Lady Bird Lake, typically attracts a crowd of more than 100,000 people.
“The health of our musicians and the community is of greater concern,” said Executive Director Anthony Corroa said in a press release. The symphony announced last month that half of its 2020-2021 season would go virtual because of coronavirus concerns.
The announcement comes as Austin has seen a sharp increase in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.
The symphony has been the producer of the Austin’s main Fourth of July fireworks attraction for more than 40 years. The only other time the event has been cancelled was in 2011 when the region was in the grip of an historic drought.
