- Credibility:
ANDERSONVILLE — Midsommarfest, one of Andersonville’s biggest events of the year, is being postponed until August due to coronavirus concerns.
The 55th annual Andersonville Midsommarfest was to take place June 12-14. But because of the coronavirus outbreak and efforts to mitigate its spread, the massive street festival is being pushed back to Aug. 21-23, the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday.
“Midsommarfest is a celebration of community,” the chamber’s executive director, Sara Dinges, said in a statement. “And the Chamber’s priority this year is to keep our community safe and healthy.”
Midsommarfest is just the latest major Chicago street festival to be canceled or postponed due to the outbreak.
The West Town Chamber of Commerce has canceled major summer festivals including West Fest and Do Division. Over the weekend, organizers of a cannabis-friendly street festival planned for Andersonville said they are reworking the party into a virtual fest. On the South Side, the Silver Room Block Party in Hyde Park and South Shore Summer Festival have also been canceled.
Festivals scheduled for the later part of the summer, including Pitchfork Music Fest and Lollapalooza, are still on the city’s schedule. The complete shutdown of festival season in Chicago would be another huge economic and cultural blow to the city, organizers have said.
The Andersonville chamber and production company Star Events will continue to monitor the outbreak as the new August date for Midsommarfest draws closer.
Held at Andersonville’s main stretch of Clark Street, Midsommarfest is a yearly celebration that highlights the Swedish tradition of Midsommar, which recognizes the summer solstice. Over its 50-plus year run, the event has grown in popularity and size, becoming one of the premier summer festivals in the city.
“When the time is ready, we look forward to bringing you this wonderful festival — and until then, please support Andersonville businesses online and at a safe distance,” festival co-chairs Karin Moen Abercrombie and Mark Liberson said in a statement.
The deadline to apply to be a vendor at Midsommarfest has been extended until July 3. For more information on how to be a vendor, click here.
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