The popular July 3 I Love Clarion event will be held at the Clarion Mall instead of the Clarion University stadium.
The event will be staged in the parking lot in front of the former Kmart store and will feature the usual favorites of music, food, games and fireworks, Tracy Becker, executive director of the Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry, said.
Becker said the original plan was to work with Clarion High School on July 3.
Ken Burkett, the executive director of the Jefferson County Historical Society, will make a presentation prior to the unveiling.
Becker said she hopes Burkett will make his presentation at the mall. He is also bringing artifacts that can be secured inside the mall, Becker said. Becker said the reason for the site change was the COVID-19 restrictions placed on outdoor gatherings.
“Here (the mall) people can sit in their cars in a comfortable seat and watch the fireworks from their car. If it rains you just roll up the windows,” she said.
“It was a very difficult decision,” she said. “The board looked at several options before making this decision. We appreciate the situation the university is in. They have been fantastic partners with the chamber in the past.”
I Love Clarion will start at 5 p.m. The Wrangler Band will perform at 7 p.m. followed by the fireworks display.