SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken apologized Thursday morning for cancelation of the Fourth of July celebration in the city.
“We owe the community an apology,” TenHaken said. TenHaken apologized in a Facebook live broadcast after 9 a.m. Friday. He did the broadcast with his 11-year-old daughter who said she was not happy with the cancelation because the sun was out.
TenHaken said that no one expected the blue skies and sun that had appeared Thursday morning.
He explained that city officials were watching forecast models and getting updates on the weather for Thursday on Wednesday afternoon including hour by hour updates.
“There was a very, very high likelihood of rain…,” TenHaken said.
Entries began to drop out the parade and the 5k for Thursday because of the forecast. Based on the weather forecast and the withdrawal of entries, the city decided to cancel the activities.
“We will make next year even better,” TenHaken said of the 2025 July 4.
Meanwhile, the mayor encouraged the public to enjoy the city’s parks and similar features today.
