The Santa Barbara & Goleta Chamber of Commerce announced Saturday the cancellation of the annual Goleta Fireworks Festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Cortney Hebert Rintoul, vice president of the Goleta Chamber of Commerce, the committee initially worked to host a modified event with no in-person audience in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, but she says it "wasn't possible."
"We know the cancellation [may] be disappointing for many — it is for us as well," said Kristen Miller, president and CEO of the organization. "We look forward to carrying on the special tradition our partners at The Rotary Clubs have built and we can't wait to celebrate with our community in 2021."
Rintoul said the Rotary Club of Goleta Noontime and the Rotary Club of Goleta hosted the fireworks festival for several years, but it was not until this year that the Santa Barbara & Goleta Chamber of Commerce took over organizing and hosting the event.
The annual fireworks festival features a fireworks show, live entertainment, activities for kids, food trucks and more, according to Rintoul.