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Green was a disappointment for the Red, White, and Blue.

The 4th of July Organization was hoping for a green designation.

It got it. Warren County will go green on Friday.

“We’re going green,” 4th of July Organization Chairman Bill Thompson said.

“That’s a good thing. That’s an awesome thing.”

However, the green phase still includes social distancing rules that will make the annual parade impossible.

When the organization was trying to set a deadline to make a final decision on the parade and fireworks, members were looking to June 1. Groups coming in from out-of-town could only hold off so long.

There are groups “we have to pay if we get too far out,” he said.

The headliner for the festival — Pat Hackett and the Kinzua Country All-Stars – asked for some time-line guidance.

“My goal was to wait for June 1 and see where we were,” Thompson said. “If we go green, it’s a go.”

The green phase designation came through in time. But, there was one caveat.

“There can’t be any limits,” he said. “If there’s anything like that, I’m canceling.”

He watched Gov. Tom Wolf’s press conference on Friday.

“When he said no large gatherings or festivals, there goes the parade,” Thompson said. “There’s over 18,000 people that come to this parade.”

He said he was talking to police about the event when someone joked that the parade would just have to be longer. “If you did social distancing you’d be clear to Youngsville,” he said.

So, the 73rd annual parade will be held, and hopefully bigger and better (but not 10 miles longer) than ever, in 2021.

“I’m sure we’ll get everybody coming out next year,” Thompson said. “I am already getting registrations.”