After a year of lockdowns and restrictions, Americans welcomed the summer of 2021 like a long-lost friend.
For major cities and parks, the summer signaled a return to tourism and the revenue it generates.
More importantly, their reopening was a symbol of American strength and character.
What could be more hopeful than watching a baseball game live at Wrigley Field or Fenway Park?
How could you not get excited about visiting Mount Rushmore or Yellowstone National Park?
(Times Square was an absolute ghost town.)
But as infection numbers dropped in the city, the Big Apple slowly began to look like itself again.
(VIP buyers also had access to a private lounge and bar.)
For everyone else, it was streamed live on CNN and other outlets.
The evening started well enough.
Then Mother Nature (who’s apparently not a music fan) intervened.
As pop icon Barry Manilow was in the middle of his set, a bolt of lightning flashed.
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered the crowd to leave and seek shelter, and out they swarmed.
As of this writing, there were no plans for a future concert.
Chalk it up to another 2021 disappointment.
