MISSOULA — Precautions over the coronavirus are quickly canceling a number of summer events.
On Tuesday, the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula pulled the plug on a community favorite, announcing that the 4th of July celebration is being shelved.
The old fashioned 4th of July Celebration is a fixture of summer in Missoula, an extension of the Bicentennial back in 1976.
Since then it's become a favorite option for residents from all over Western Montana, as they come to see the displays of antique logging and farm equipment, and enjoy some traditional food and family games.
This would have been the 44th celebration. But museum leaders say they can't figure out a way to hold the celebration that would be safe for the public, volunteers and staff.
The museum is currently limiting gathering to 50 people, and say there's no way to accommodate the large groups that would show up on the fourth.
The museum itself will be re-opening to the public on June 1, with reduced summer hours and cleaning procedures in place.
