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ANDERSONVILLE — Midsommarfest has been canceled for the second straight year due to coronavirus, neighborhood officials announced Thursday.
Andersonville’s Midsommarfest is the neighborhood’s biggest event of the year and for 54 years has helped usher in the start of summer in Chicago. But this year’s festival, slated for June 11-13, has been canceled as the city continues to battle the pandemic.
Organizers are planning for the festival’s return June 10-12, 2022, Andersonville Chamber of Commerce leaders said in a statement.
“While we are encouraged by Chicago’s progress in keeping infection rates lower, we must continue to put the health and safety of our patrons, artists, performers, vendors and sponsors first,” Andersonville chamber’s Associate Director Laura Austin said in a statement.
Last year was slated to be the 55th edition of Midsommarfest. Organizers postponed the event from June to August and later canceled the festival, making Midsommarfest one of dozens of summertime events called off last year due to the pandemic.
A virtual fest took Midsommarfest’s place. The chamber will announce alternative summer events and programmings to help support the local business district.
Midsommarfest is one of the first major events to announce its cancellation this year, as Chicago continues a massive vaccination effort. The Logan Square Arts Festival also announced the cancellation of this year’s event.
With Chicago’s coronavirus positivity rate at an all-time low and vaccine rollout underway, a more normal summer is possible. Guaranteed Rate Field and Wrigley Field are reopening at limited capacity. The status of most major summer events and festivals, however, remains unknown.
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