Fireworks explode in the sky on July 3, 2018, in Tupper Lake, which traditionally celebrates Independence Day with pyrotechnics on July 3. (Enterprise photo — Catherine Moore)

TUPPER LAKE — This village’s Independence Day fireworks will take place on the Fourth of July instead of the third, as previously scheduled.

This change of plans, finalized this week, got its start in a village board meeting a few months ago, when the board agreed to do the explosives show on the fourth instead of the third. The show, put on through the Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce and normally funded by the village and town has seen many changes this year.

Village Mayor Paul Maroun said the show used to be on July 4, but for many years it has been held the day before because it is cheaper then. The cost to change the date went up from $10,500 to $13,000.

The town, which usually pays for half the show, declined to participate this year, as board members believe the coronavirus poses too big a threat to the safety of the event. That means the village will solely fund the show.

“I believe that the people of Tupper Lake want to have something to do,” Maroun said. “I believe they’re smart enough to stay in their cars or stay right near their cars to watch it.”

He said if attendees want to stand outside their car, they must put masks on. He said cars can park in the Municipal Park, parking lots or in street parking locations around the Raquette Pond launching area to watch the show, which begins after it gets dark.

The villages of Saranac Lake and Lake Placid have canceled their Fourth of July fireworks shows this year so as not to draw large crowds amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.