ISHPEMING — Fourth of July events will be held in the city of Ishpeming by the Ishpeming Fourth of July Committee this summer with some COVID-19 adaptations to follow public health guidance. After review of a COVID-19 safety plan, the Ishpeming City Council at its Wednesday meeting approved a permit for the parade, as well the special event application for the Fourth of July events, which include the parade, a community picnic and fireworks.

The parade will be held from roughly 10:30 a.m. to noon on July 3, according to the parade permit application form.

The Ishpeming application and permit for the parade was discussed in two sections, the participating member requirements and the spectator requirements. For the parade, there will be a number of requirements for volunteers, including the use of face masks, as well as gloves for anyone tossing candy, which must be individually wrapped. According to the COVID-19 plan submitted to the city, there will be signs along the parade route to guide spectators, asking them to stay with their family/group, follow social distancing guidelines and wear a mask when walking through the crowd. Attendees of the fireworks and picnic will also be asked to stay with their groups, according to the plan.

To view the entire COVID-19 safety plan for the parade, fireworks and community picnic, visit https://ishpemingcity.org/?wpfb_dl=1517 and see pages 37-39.

The council also approved an updated COVID-19 plan for the upcoming Gus Macker basketball tournament. The tournament was canceled in 2020, but will take place this year from June 25-27.

Jen Hendrickson spoke on behalf of Gus Macker officials and presented a new and revised COVID plan for the tournament.

The plan includes:

≤ Following state and local health department COVID-19 guidelines for holding safe outdoor events;

≤ Requiring players, volunteers, referees, vendors and spectators to wear a mask in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines;

≤ Marking the player and spectator space around the basketball court to allow for social distancing practices;

≤ Spacing courts apart to create more room for players and spectators;

≤ Allowing players to electronically sign waivers online and a socially distanced on-site player registration process;

≤ Limiting tournament teams and/or spectators based on COVID-19 regulations;

≤ Requiring volunteers and referees to sign a waiver;

≤ Providing full refunds to all teams registered if the tournament is canceled due to COVID-19 issues;

≤ Working with the Marquette County Health Department to make any needed changes or corrections.

Hendrickson assured the council everyone involved in the competition will be required to wear a mask. These plans are tentative based on the state regulations, officials said.

Katie Segula can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is ksegula@miningjournal.net.