There will be no bombs bursting in air.
The annual Celebrate America fireworks display at Santa Monica College has been scrapped for the second year in a row, a spokesperson has confirmed to The Sun.
The college is also prepping for an enhanced drive through diploma ceremony on Saturday, June 19.
“We have as yet not received any permission to admit outside individuals onto campus,” said Linda Sullivan, Associate Dean of Facilities Programming.
“The campus is closed to the public. We are not doing public events. That includes graduation.”
According to Sullivan, members of the Class of 2021 will be permitted to drive onto campus and may briefly exit their vehicles to receive a diploma and have pictures taken.
“He or she can stuff as many people as they can get in the car within the law,” she said. “But they cannot invite family members that would come in other cars.
“Maybe someone will hire a stretch limo. I’m sure some of them will be resourceful and come in that.”
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Sullivan says larger public gatherings — including theater performances and the very popular Celebrate America — will not return to SMC “until we get students back in the classroom.”
Celebrate America has been a local tradition since 1993. It was canceled for the first time last year.
The free family-friendly event, which often attracted thousands of residents, traditionally takes place about a week before the official Independence Day holiday.
It is paid for, in part, with revenues from the rental of SMC facilities to outside groups.
“As you know there were no events (this year),” Sullivan noted. “So that fund is a dry well now.”
“Celebrate America is an exhausting event,” she admits. “I personally have enjoyed doing it and in a sense I miss it. But under the circumstances of a worldwide pandemic, this is not one of the things I miss (most). I miss not being able to hug my grandkids.
“I think absolutely we will do it again in 2022.”
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