Storm Disrupts Duluth Festivities

Wind and heavy rain interrupted “Duluth Celebrates America” at Scott Hudgens Park Tuesday (July 3) evening. The fireworks will be rescheduled for later this summer.

Canopies and umbrellas erected to provide shade from the summer sun became shelters for disappointed celebrants to huddle under as they tracked the thunderstorm on their cell phones and waited for it to pass.

Individual “sunbrellas” turned into “rainbrellas.” Hastily donned plastic rain slickers and windbreakers provided little relief from the storm that came up quickly. The wind toppled a couple of the canopies.

Many scurried to their cars as intermittent raindrops turned into a deluge and lightning began striking. A steady stream of vehicles left the park as the storm worsened.

Families who braved the hot weather and arrived early enjoyed inflatables, carnival rides, multiple food vendors, and musical entertainment during the afternoon. The celebration started at 4 p.m.

Just after Mayor Nancy Harris welcomed guests to the traditional Independence Day ceremony at 7 p.m., a member of the 116^th U.S. Army Band sang the National Anthem, and the Full Circle band started playing, the rain began falling heavily.

The storm kept the highly anticipated fireworks display scheduled for shortly after 9 p.m. from happening. Jayne Madigan, events coordinator for the city, announced Wednesday that the fireworks will be rescheduled for later this summer.

"The fireworks will be rescheduled for a later date this summer. We will have an exact date by next week," Madigan said.