Construction at Takoma Park Middle School has forced the cancellation of the city’s Fourth of July fireworks show, according to the Takoma Park Independence Day Committee.

“[The committee] explored all other possible sites for fireworks in or near Takoma, including other school sites, and were not able to find a solution with sufficient clearance to safely set off fireworks and host fireworks viewing,” the committee posted on its website.

In its place will be an evening celebration on Maple Avenue, in front of the Takoma Park Community Center, from Philadelphia to Sherman avenues.

The event begins at 7 p.m. and will include food trucks, vendors, and children’s activities.

The Takoma Park Community Band will perform, followed by MO’Fire, a tribute to the sounds of Motown and Earth, Wind and Fire.

In addition, organizers announced today that PYROXOTIC, a troupe of performers that use fire and LEDs, will be part of the program.

The 130th Takoma Park Fourth of July celebration will being at 10 a.m. with the annual parade, which starts at Carroll and Ethan Allen avenues, travels south on Carroll Avenue, turns right on Maple Avenue, and continues to Ritchie Avenue. This year’s theme is Community Heroes.

The construction at the middle school, which originally opened in 1939, is scheduled to be completed in August 2020.

Plans call for a three-story addition and renovations to increase the school’s capacity to 1,306 seats (from current 939), with six shell classrooms in anticipation of future enrollment growth. Removing the current stage also will expand the cafeteria.

Top photo of the Takoma Park Middle School construction by Mike Diegel. Below, a screen shot from the preliminary plan proposal presented to the Board of Education.