Annual San Angelo Symphony Independence Day Pops Concert and Fireworks Show Canceled

SAN ANGELO, TX — The 4th of July pops concert is canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s event had been scheduled for July 3 in downtown San Angelo.

The annual Pops Concert and Fireworks Extravaganza held near the July 4 holiday is the most well-attended event every year at the Bill Aylor Memorial Riverstage in downtown San Angelo. Estimates are that as many as 10,000 people are gathered each year inside the Riverstage amphitheater or other areas around the location for the concert by the San Angelo Symphony and Concert Band. The music finale is capped with an elaborate fireworks display.

“Due to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) health pandemic, the San Angelo Symphony has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 July 3rd Pops Concert and Fireworks Extravaganza. The safety of the San Angelo Symphony's audience, guest artists, musicians, staff, and volunteers remains our top priority. The timeline for national, state and local governments to allow for large gatherings at public venues, such as the Bill Aylor Sr. Memorial Riverstage, remains very uncertain and the ability to practice social distancing is not practical for this type of large scale community event. Canceling the July 3rd Pops performance is the best way for the organization to do our part to protect our community,” the San Angelo Symphony stated in a press release.

The symphony expects to resume the July 4 pops concert and fireworks show in 2021.

“We are saddened to have to cancel this year’s performance and fireworks show,” stated Executive Director Courtney Mahaffey. “This is the first time that the San Angelo Symphony has had to cancel this longtime patriotic concert and although, we hope that the situation will improve by the time of the event, we do not want to risk bringing large groups of people together while health risks may still exist. This event has been our gift to the city and its citizens for so many years, showing our appreciation for their support during our 70 year existence.”

The annual pops concert is a high-profile event for the Symphony that sustains itself on donations and ticket sales to their seasonal events. Although the annual Independence Day event is free to the public, the Symphony will suffer a loss of revenue from sponsorships at the event.

Other Riverstage events scheduled this year are taking a wait and see approach. The annual Wild West Fest is scheduled for July 24 at the Riverstage. This concert usually features a top Texas Country Music band line-up. So far, organizers are mum on who will headline the event, but teased that the concert may happen July 24, if COVID-19 restrictions allow.

The question is, will many people show up after being shutout of restaurants and bars for two or three months if restrictions last that long?

The Riverstage complex sits on three acres. The City of San Angelo claims the capacity is 8,000 people.