City of Naples Christmas Parade and New Year’s Eve fireworks
November 4, 2020
Naples, FL (November 4, 2020) – Out of an abundance of caution, the City of Naples City Council voted unanimously to cancel the City of Naples Christmas Parade and New Year’s Eve Fireworks. The Annual Christmas Parade was scheduled for Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 6:00pm; the New Year’s Eve Fireworks were scheduled to occur on December 31, 2020 at 7pm. Due to the ongoing nature of COVID-19 pandemic and an increasing number of confirmed cases in Collier County, City staff and Emergency Management personnel recommended the cancellation based on the following concerns: both events draw large crowds and many out-of-town visitors with the inability to physically distance, increased risk of local outbreak, difficulty to enforce mandatory face coverings with large crowds, concern of overall health and safety of participants, spectators, and City personnel executing the events, and several others.
“We are saddened we had to take this action and know how important these events are to our community. The action to cancel was necessary to mitigate further community spread of the virus. We look forward to the day when the pandemic is behind us,” said Charles Chapman, City Manager. “The health and safety of our residents and visitors are of the utmost priority. In an abundance of caution and listening to recommendations from staff and our Emergency Management Department, we had to cancel these events,” said Mayor Teresa Heitmann.
Residents and visitors are reminded that fireworks are prohibited west of Gulf Shore Boulevard, including the beach, at all times.
Fireworks:
According to Florida State Statue 791.08, effective April 4, 2020, it is now legal to use fireworks on Independence Day (July 4), New Year’s Eve (December 31), and New Year’s Day (January 1). Fireworks are defined as anything that blows up or shoots into the air. Igniting fireworks any other day of the year is considered illegal if done without a permit and is punishable as a first-degree misdemeanor.
The new law states that homeowner associations in gated communities may not enact or enforce bylaws that would contradict this new law.
Fireworks can, however, be deemed illegal on the three permitted holidays if a countywide burn ban is in effect.
Sparklers are always legal in Florida. A sparkler is defined as anything that is handheld or ground base which produces sparks upon burning but does not detonate or explode.
Please note that City Ordinance 24-226 remains in effect and prohibits the possession or use of any fireworks, including sparklers, on the beaches of the city, in the public parks of the city, on the city fishing pier and parking area or on the beach access or street end rights-of-way west of Gulf Shore Boulevard in the city – even on these holidays.
