While parks are canceling summer events due to the coronavirus pandemic, the fireworks will go on at Mount Rushmore National Memorial with President Trump in attendance/Kurt Repanshek file

While President Trump plans to head to Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 3 to see the memorial's first fireworks display in 11 years, some parks across the nation are canceling summer events due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and advice from local and federal health officials.

Earlier this month the president commented that he didn't understand why the fireworks displays had been halted 11 years ago.

"For 20 years or something it hasn’t been allowed for environmental reasons. You believe that one? It’s all stone," Trump asked conservative radio talk host Dan Bongino.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem hasn't put into effect stringent orders in her state to slow the spread of the virus, and has welcomed the president's visit for the Fourth of July celebration.

State, local, and National Park Service officials are working to develop a crowd management plan for the event, which was halted in 2009 due to concerns the fireworks might spark wildfires in the surrounding Black Hills National Forest and the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. Additionally, they are to develop a wildfire response plan.

Elsewhere in the National Park System, a number of units have canceled summer events out of concerns about spreading Covid-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.

Antietam National Battlefield, Maryland

The Maryland Symphony Orchestra, after reviewing the recently released Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery and consulting with the National Park Service and local government and health officials, has determined that the 35th annual Salute to Independence scheduled for July 4 at Antietam Battlefield cannot be held. For 34 years this concert and fireworks display has been the largest event of the MSO season. But the size of the event, combined with unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompted the decision to "put the safety of our audience and musicians ahead of all other concerns."

MSO Music Director Elizabeth Schulze shared on behalf of the whole MSO family, “It’s always a privilege to perform at Antietam and we will truly miss our shared musical celebration there this summer.”  

Antietam Superintendent Susan Trail added, “We have always looked forward to working with the MSO to host the annual Salute to Independence. Given the present situation, however, it is important that we put the health and safety of our visitors and staff first."

Sequoia National Park, California

Crystal Cave at Sequoia will not open this year due to the sanitation requirements that staff don't see as feasible. "Also, the narrow pathways and tight spaces throughout the cave do not allow adequate physical distancing measures," said a release from the Sequoia Park Conservancy.

This summer's Dark Sky Festival also has been canceled.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, along with its many partners, has made the decision to cancel the Port Oneida Fair scheduled for August 7-8. Although the park continues to work toward a phased reopening of park facilities, the uncertainty about when public health guidance will safely allow large gatherings of people has prompted the decision to cancel the fair. 

“The significant preparation that would be needed from staff, partners, and volunteers precludes waiting any longer to make the decision," said Superintendent Scott Tucker. "We look forward to when we can welcome crowds of people back into the park – and to celebrating with you at the next Port Oneida Fair on August 13-14, 2021!”

"The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is our No. 1 priority," a Sleeping Bear release said. "The National Park Service is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. We will notify the public when we resume operations and provide updates on our website www.nps.gov/slbe and social media channels."

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, Virginia

The annual illumination of the Fredericksburg National Cemetery, normally held on Memorial Day, has been canceled. 

"While we encourage residents and visitors to engage with the City of Fredericksburg’s efforts to mark Memorial Day with a virtual observance, we ask no one to come to the National Cemetery with the expectation of experiencing the illumination, traditionally held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend," a park release said.

"Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park has also cancelled its History at Sunset series for the summer of 2020. Limits on the size of public gatherings render these programs unsafe—History at Sunset programs routinely attract audiences of more than 100 visitors."

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, North Dakota/Montana

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site officials have decided to cancel the 2020 Rendezvous scheduled for June 18-21.

"The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site is our No. 1 priority," a park release said, echoing the message most parks are using. "The National Park Service is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic."

“The popular Rendezvous event attracts more than 3000 participants and visitors and is supported by more than 100 volunteers. Current guidance for social distancing and limitations on large gatherings make it unsafe to hold such an event in the near future," said Superintendent Alice Hart.