Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge is encouraging residents and visitors attending the city’s Fourth of July fireworks to use designated public parking areas instead of Riverview Stadium.
Judge said parking will once again be available in the junior league football parking lot, along with nearby grass parking.
Although some people may choose to watch the fireworks from Riverview Stadium, the mayor said the stadium is not an official viewing location this year. He explained that city liability insurance requirements would require the stadium lights to remain on if it were opened to the public, reducing visibility of the fireworks display.
Judge said city officials, including District 348 Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer, explored options to make the stadium available but were unable to meet the insurance requirements.
As a result, no restroom facilities or other accommodations will be available at the stadium, and anyone choosing to watch the fireworks there does so at their own risk.
The fireworks display is scheduled to begin around 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. Judge said this year’s show is expected to be the largest in recent memory, lasting between one hour and 15 minutes and one hour and 30 minutes.