No Reschedule Date for Kent Fireworks

Kent won't have a fireworks show this year unless we get a lot of rain between now and Saturday night.

Members of the Kent United Services Organization, which is a conglomerate of Kent groups that run the Kent Heritage Festival, decided Monday night that the fireworks show won't be rescheduled if it can't go off on Saturday night during the festival.

"Unless the () retracts the notice of cancellation, there will not be fireworks," said Lori Wemhoff, executive director of the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce. "No alternate date will be set."

The fire department ordered the Monday morning, due to the dry conditions, at the recommendation of the Ohio Fire Marshal's Office.

Kent Fire Lt. Rich Lynn said the department could rescind the cancellation order only if it rains between now and Saturday night, when the fireworks were originally set to go off.

"But it’s got to be an appreciable amount," Lynn said.

If the forecast is any indication, then no fireworks will brighten the night sky over the Tree City this year.

High temperatures are expected to be at or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit from today through Saturday, according to Weather.com. Today and Wednesday are the only two days with a chance of rain. It's expected to be hot and sunny the rest of the week.

With the loss of fireworks, this year the Heritage Festival lost two of its primary attractions. The train rides were also eliminated from the festival this year due to liability concerns.

Wemhoff said there are plenty of other reasons to , which is set for Saturday from 9 a.m. to midnight and will feature more than 130 food, craft and information vendors.

"Safety has to be our number one priority," she said.