Corpus Christi sets rain date for fireworks display

If the weather outside is frightful on New Year’s Eve, the Mayor’s Big Bang New Year’s Eve Celebration will be moved to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, from the same time on Thursday, Dec. 31, announced City Manager Peter Zanoni at a media conference in City Hall on Dec. 30.
Joining Zanoni were Mayor Joe McComb, Police Chief Mike Markle, and Fire Chief Robert Rocha, all there to encourage safety and discourage setting off fireworks in the city limits, which is illegal.
Markle also warned against shooting off firearms to celebrate the end of 2020.
“Do not discharge firearms into the air,” he said. “It is dangerous. People have died from bullets shot into the air returning to earth. It is a criminal offense, and we will be enforcing that.”
Police also will be on hand to fine anyone discharging fireworks in the city limits, including on the beaches.
Traffic cops will be patrolling downtown traffic during the fireworks display as well.
Extra officers will be out on the roads throughout the evening and early morning of the new year to watch for drinking and driving violations.
“A lot of people will be happy to see 2020 end,” Mayor McComb said. “We don’t want to have a bad ending to our celebration.”
Those coming downtown to view the fireworks will be expected to keep a social distance of at least 6 feet between those outside of their immediate family and wear face coverings to protect against COVID-19.
“There is adequate space on the bayfront and along the bluff to view the fireworks,” McComb continued. “I want this to be a community and a family affair. That’s why I set it at 7 p.m. and not midnight, so we can all go with our families and bid a happy goodbye to 2020.”
For those who don’t want to go outside for the fireworks, the display will be streamed live on the city’s Facebook page @citygov. Unless the weather is too bad for fireworks, the display will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, from a barge in Corpus Christi Bay.