Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, July 31, 2020
| OGLE COUNTY NEWS
4
SPECIAL EVENT
Oregon Park District fireworks show is Aug. 7 Social distancing to be part of the event at Oregon Park East BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@oglecountynews.com There should be plenty of oohs and aahs coming Aug. 7 when the Oregon Park District hosts its annual fireworks show. The display is set for approximately 9 p.m. at Oregon Park East. The event has been held at Oregon Park West in past years. Fireworks will be launched from the lower edge of the park over the Rock River. “The location will provide the greatest opportunity for people to see the fireworks from many locations in the downtown area and practice social distancing,” a press
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media
The Oregon Park District finished off its 2019 Concerts in the Park series with fireworks. release said. Park East will not be accessible to the public by vehicular or pedestrian traffic. River Road will also be
closed during the fireworks show. “The park district’s goal is to bring this annual event to as many members of our community as pos-
sible while keeping our community safe and socially distanced,” the release said. “A rain date for the fireworks show is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8.” The park district is currently working with the Oregon Fire Department, City of Oregon and IDOT to finalize the details. “Park East will remain closed to all spectators, but we encourage patrons to view from their vehicles and practice proper social distancing at all times,” the release said. “OPD has provided the community with a fireworks show since we celebrated our 50th anniversary several years ago, but due to COVID19 we were forced to change gears,” Executive Director Erin Folk said. “The district has had to make many sacrifices and limit programming because of COVID-19. The annual fireworks show is an opportunity to provide continued entertainment and some much-needed joy during an unusual time.”
COVID-19 & RECREATION
PorchFest a no-go thanks to COVID-19 pandemic Straw Sculpting Competition is still slated for August Encore! Mt. Morris has made the tough decision to cancel PorchFest for 2020. “We were cautiously optimistic and continued to plan as long as we could, but after discussion with the Ogle County Public Health Department, and in the interest of public health, we felt it best to reduce the risks associated with hosting a large
public event,” said Jeff Bold, representing Encore. “An additional consideration included the impending start of the school year and the potential impact on the greater community. The decision was difficult, but the musicians scheduled and the supporting porch hosts are like family and we know it’s the right thing to do at this time. Thank you to the musicians and porches for registering, all worked hard trying to make 2020 happen and most have already committed to join us for PorchFest 2021 on Saturday, June 12.” The US National Straw Sculpting Competition will open Aug. 7 and be on display through Aug. 23 on the Mt. Morris Campus.
Sculptures will be displayed with social distancing, voting will be on-line, and there will be no StrawFest day, normally scheduled for the closing weekend. “We thank ComEd for being our event sponsor,” Bold said. The Encore Fine Arts Show, ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’, scheduled
for August in Old Sandstone Gallery has been cancelled. The Student Art Show, scheduled for Aug. 28 –Sept. 5 is under review to determine ways to make it safe for families to see their student’s artwork. “Encore strives to safely provide art opportunities; and continues their mission of making Mt. Morris a rural destination for the arts. Encore! Mt. Morris is composed of volunteers committed to developing Mt. Morris, into a unique, thriving rural and cultural arts destination in northwest Illinois,” Bold said. Visit EncoreMtMorris.com for more information on all events, or call the Mt. Morris Village Hall at 815-734-6425 to leave a message.
IN BRIEF Polo Car Show cancelled
Car Show to be held on Aug. 8, 2020 has been cancelled,” the Polo Chamber The 2020 Polo Car Show, originally of Commerce said. “However, all parscheduled to take place on Aug. 8, has ticipants if you would like to cruise the been canceled after the Polo City Council gave it the green light last on July 20. town of Polo be sure to stop downtown and patronize our bars, restaurants and “After much consideration and folshops. See you next year!” lowing the advice of the Ogle County City Hall received some complaints Health Department, we regret to inform regarding holding the car show. There you that the 31st Original Polo, Illinois
were plans to hold the show with signage and hand sanitizer provided with phase four guidelines being adhered to.
Ogle County marriage licenses Ogle County clerk Laura Clark has issued the following marriage licenses. July 10 Brett Robert Larson and Gina Marie
Koeller, both of Rockford. Blake Robert Cohoon of Rockford and Crystal Kara Savage of Holcomb. Michael Kevin Koch and Cammie Lynn Milsaps, both of Davis Junction. July 16 Christian David Hage of Dixon and Hope Olivia Stoner of Shannon. See MARRIAGES, Page 8
