Hartland's Hometown Celebration will go on as scheduled in June

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HARTLAND, Wis. (CBS 58) -- While a number of other summer festivals and fireworks shows have been canceled, Hartland's Hometown Celebration will go on as planned in June.

The event is scheduled to be held at Nixon Park from June 26 to 28. The village board unanimously decided Tuesday night to hold the fireworks show and parade.

"Right now, we only have four active cases in the village of Hartland, so it's something we're tracking and would certainly keep an eye on if we did have a spike in Hartland," said Village Administrator Tim Rhode.

Rhode said the village has not received any opposition to the decision. Village officials will continue to monitor the number of active cases to decide if they need to re-evaluate their decision.

The village will also make some changes to the parade in efforts to limit the spread of the virus.

"I think the biggest one would be limiting the touching of different items. So, the candy and the brochures handing out -- we're going to try to limit that," Rhode said.

Business owners in downtown Hartland told CBS 58 the event could be a chance to make up some lost revenue.

"I think it'll be good for our business. People will be out and about and stop in for dinner," said Jerry Arenas, owner of Palmer's Steakhouse.

Arenas and his wife, Marie, are requiring their staff to wear masks and have implemented safety measures, such as hand sanitizer stations and plexiglass shields, because they know people have different comfort levels.

"I understands the concerns and the frustrations of the people that don't want to see the fireworks, but I also understand the concerns of the people that do want to see the fireworks," Jerry Arenas said.

Maxine Bierman, owner of Designer Consignor Boutique, encouraged people take proper precautions during the fireworks show and parade. But she said after her business has been closed for several months, she's happy to see a bit of normalcy come back.

"(I) love all the activities, the festivities. I'm really happy that they're going to be doing this because so many areas have canceled everything," Bierman said.

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