Flood waters have closed St. Paul’s Harriet Island Park on the Mississippi River, so city officials are moving the annual July 4 fireworks display back to the state Capitol grounds.
This year’s fireworks were going to be part of the revived Taste of Minnesota music and food festival, which had planned to return to St. Paul after a several-year absence. But the summer-time floods have forced Taste to move the Carver County Fairgrounds in Waconia for its July 3-6 run.
Mayor Chris Coleman says the fireworks, too, will be moved: back to the Capitol mall where they had long been part of the early Taste of Minnesota festivals, before Taste outgrew the site and moved to Harriet Island.
Coleman said the mall will be open beginning at 8 p.m. Friday. His office said:
Pre-packaged food and beverages are allowed, but grills, alcohol, and personal fireworks are prohibited. Additionally, the fireworks will not be visible from the Mississippi River area and residents are reminded to use commonsense and abide by all park and road closures, which are clearly marked.
The event area will be closed to vehicle traffic from Rice Street to Cedar Street and from University Avenue to 12th Street West. While there are parking ramps around the area, visitors are encouraged to take public transit, including light rail and bus, to and from the show.
