There will be no Fourth of July fireworks or festival this year, the city confirmed on June 7.

The City of Federal Way is canceling the Red, White and Blues Festival and its accompanying fireworks display traditionally scheduled for July 4 at Celebration Park.

Earlier this year, Mayor Jim Ferrell decided to cancel the summertime celebration due to uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, said Steve McNey, communications and government affairs coordinator for the mayor’s office.

Fireworks must be ordered well in advance and planning the festival takes months, he said. Along with the necessary planning and booking, “there was not adequate time to get that done.”

In addition, the mayor’s decision was made prior to Gov. Jay Inslee’s June 30 reopening of Washington state.

McNey said the city is taking a responsible approach for the health and safety of the community as COVID-19 vaccination rates continue to rise. In Federal Way, approximately 61.7% of residents over the age of 12 have received at least one vaccine dose, according to Public Health Seattle — King County.

This year would have been the 28th annual Fourth of July Red, White and Blues Festival for the city.

Featuring live entertainment, music and family-friendly activities, the festival drew more than 20,000 attendees in 2019. Prior years, the attendance count has surpassed 24,000 people.

The city encourages people to safely gather with their friends and family for the holiday and hopes to welcome the community back with the 2022 event.

Next year’s event may feature a new location or additions to the festival celebration, he added.