Fireworks light up the Mississippi River over Downtown Memphis July 4, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Jordan Pignataro gets his face painted by Alycia Kirk at Mud Island July 4, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Fireworks light up the Memphis skyline July 4, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Kasshios Cooper and Bella Kirk agree to jump into the water together at Mud Island River Park July 4, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Fireworks fly up from Mud Island River Park over the Memphis skyline July 4, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Derek Cullen tries to get the attention of his pet pig, Ms. Millie at Mud Island River Park July 4, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
After a year off, Memphis resumed its Fourth of July celebrations July 4, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Fourth of July may mark a turning point in pandemic
While many celebrate freedom from lockdown, Shelby County surpasses 100,000 COVID cases
Independence Day gatherings and parades mark a return to near-normalcy. But COVID-19 cast a shadow on July 4, as 66 new cases pushed Shelby County over the 100,000 mark. Many are the highly contagious Delta variant.