Richmond cancels July 4 fireworks due to extreme heat

The Virginia Museum of History and Culture used fireworks as part of their Illuminate display last weekend. (Max Posner for The Richmonder)

The city of Richmond announced Wednesday afternoon that it has canceled its annual Fourth of July celebration at Dogwood Dell.

"While the annual celebration is a cherished Richmond tradition and an important part of the Festival of Arts, as well as this year's commemoration of the nation's 250th anniversary, City leaders determined that proceeding with the event would present unacceptable health and safety risks for attendees, performers, volunteers, staff, and first responders," the city wrote in a press release.

Henrico County's fireworks event on July 3 will now begin at 7 p.m., and Chesterfield County's July 4 celebration at the county fairgrounds will now begin at 6 p.m.