HOWARD COUNTY, Md. — Wedding celebrations have been postponed in Howard County due to COVID-19.
Roughly 22 engaged couples have been impacted by the county's decision to cancel wedding and large event celebrations on county land. This also includes the July 4 fireworks at Lake Kittamaqundi.
RELATED: Howard County cancels July 4th fireworks celebration, other upcoming events
"Our fireworks celebrations for Independence Day draw large crowds of residents and visitors and amid the continued spread of COVID-19 it is not in the best interest of our community to host these celebrations,” said County Executive Calvin Ball. “It is imperative we take these precautions to avoid a potential outbreak of COVID-19 and keep our residents safe in Howard County.”
Ball also expressed sympathy for couples whose weddings have been canceled or rescheduled at the Belmont Manor.
"We usually give our couples at least a month notice in advance," Ball said Monday.
The county said couples were contacted as early as March 16 with the ability to reschedule or receive a refund.
A spokesperson Department of Recreation and Parks said 1 out of the 2 couples have requested a full refund, others have postponed their wedding until the fall or a later date in 2021.
As for the grounds at Belmont Manor, crews are taking this time to work on maintenance and landscaping.
"If there's a positive point," said Frank Anderson, this place is going to be in tiptop, spectacular condition when we reopen. Right now we have workers doing things they couldn't normally do if we were entertaining guests."
County officials will decide by May 15 if weddings from June 15 to July 14 may be carried out.
