by Steven Felschundneff | steven@claremont-courier.com

The city of Claremont announced on Wednesday that Fourth of July festivities will be canceled for a second year due to uncertainty about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Claremont’s annual festivities include the Freedom 5000 5k run and fun walk, festival in Memorial Park, parade down Indian Hill Boulevard and fireworks show at Pomona College.

“Planning for the events is a year-long endeavor and vendor contracts are signed months in advance. The decision to cancel the events needed to be made before contracts were executed and non-refundable deposits were made,” Public Information Officer Bevin Handel said in a statement.

In place of the traditional event the city will pursue a virtual celebration of American independence.