Jazz Fest Encore and fireworks slated for Saturday in Downtown Elkhart

ELKHART, Ind. -- We are less than twenty-four hours away from Jazz Fest and fireworks, round two!

A couple of weeks ago, during Elkhart's America 250 celebration, the planned firework display was washed out, due to storms.

If you were bummed about missing out on the July 4th fireworks that were supposed to take place a couple weeks ago, this event is for you.

It's another opportunity to gather in downtown Elkhart, listen to music, and also watch the fireworks show that got canceled on July 4th.

"After we postponed the fireworks show the first time, we had to find a date that worked for us, for the city, there's so much going on, we wanted to find a time that would work well for us to bring an additional 10,000 people into the city and not compete largely with another large event," said Jamison Czarnecki, Superintedent of Elkhart Parks and Recreation.

Czarnecki says they picked this weekend after July 5 saw repeat rain, and two weeks later, a different weather issue is posing potential problems.

"The air quality is not ideal with the Canadian wildfires, for right now, we plan to move forward, because we have been working with the Elkhart County Health Department, and we've been monitoring, and what we can tell is that tonight, after the rain, it should drop significantly, and not be as much of a concern," said Czarnecki.

Despite the forecast calling for widespread storms in the afternoon and evening Saturday, Czarnecki remains optimistic, and he's not the only one excited about Jazz Fest Encore.

One downtown business owner is thrilled at the potential of increased customers.

"Any time the city puts on an event, it always helps local businesses, but with something like this, like the big fireworks show, I'm sure it's going to bring in quite a few people, I'm sure everyone downtown is going to benefit from that," said Derek Ogawa, owner of Old Style Deli.

Czarnecki says he and his team will continue to monitor the forecast and the haze, and they have plans in place for any possible scenario.

Live entertainment will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Central Green Park, downtown. The fireworks show is scheduled for 10 p.m. There will be food trucks on site. Admission is free; attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for sitting.