P-J file photo

LAKEWOOD — The village of Lakewood will again forgo its annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration this year.

Mayor Randy Holcomb said the annual event to celebrate the summer holiday will not be held due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Holcomb is optimistic that, because of the increase in COVID vaccinations, the ceremony will be held in 2022.

“There is interest among village trustees to hold this event,” Holcomb said, “but it is impossible to enforce social distancing within this program, so we can’t hold it.”

Holcomb believes that although the county is increasing its vaccination distribution, seen in the opening of clinics throughout and lowering the minimum age of vaccine recipients to 16, holding an event that attracts such large numbers of people would be irresponsible on the village’s part.

Although the fireworks event has been canceled, there’s still plenty planned for the village.

There is a new retrofit project in the works for Lakewood’s Hartley Park, which will add new components to what is already existing at the park. The annual farmers market, traditionally held on Chautauqua Avenue and East Summit Street, will also be happening this summer.

By improving Hartley Park and holding the farmers market, local residents can safely get back into the community and shop at the farmers market as well as other businesses located in the village.

Community members will also be able to see improvements being made in the village with the Chautauqua Avenue Retrofit Project. Set to begin construction this month, the project aims to increase the aesthetic of the village and improve the health of Chautauqua Lake by installing new drainage infrastructure.