The Fourth of July holiday brings in tourist and Montana residents from all across the state to Ennis every year. And while the COVID-19 may make the celebration look a little different, businesses are still expecting a crowd.
The streets of Ennis are busy, even in spite of the town’s favorite 4th of July tradition being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s what would have been the 85th annual Fourth of July parade.
“At first I was pretty bummed that the parade wasn’t gonna happen. But with all of the traffic and COVID cases increasing, it’s okay that it’s canceled,” said Dulcie Clark, owner of the Daily Grind Coffee Shop and the Whispering Willow Day Spa.
Businesses owners say there’s still plenty of tourists roaming the streets, and the Ennis Rodeo is still on and goes from July 3rd to July 4th.
“I’ve heard lots of people coming to the rodeo. I anticipate the rodeo being bigger than ever,” said Clark.
One of the town’s staple restaurants decided to close its doors in anticipation of the 4th of July crowd.
“We can do without it for a year. You know, it’s just one of those things that if we got an extra 5,000 people in town, shoulder to shoulder…” said Sherri Shows, owner of the Picnic Basket.
Clark says her coffee shop will definitely be open for the holiday, and social distancing and good hygiene will be key.
“People are very good about putting hand sanitizer on and lots of people are wearing masks, so I feel really good about that.”
Shows she will open her doors up after the holiday weekend.
“I haven’t had a 4th of July off in 20 years. And we’ll be fine without one weekend.”
