This year's Crystal Frolics was supposed to be a new and revitalized festival, with more free entertainment and updated activities set in a renovated park in the Hennepin County suburb.
Instead, Lynn Haney called it off in late April. "It was probably the hardest decision the committee ever made," said Haney, president of the festival committee. "I cried."
Organizers of local summer festivals have made a lot of tough calls this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dozens of festivals were canceled for public health reasons, choosing instead to focus on next year. A handful of others, including White Bear Lake Manitou Days and Leprechaun Days in Rosemount, are planning to hold scaled-back August or September events if statewide regulations allow.
Though most festival activities are held outside, many organizers said that throngs of people squeezed together to watch parades, car shows or concerts just isn't safe this year. Some added that asking businesses for sponsorship dollars didn't seem right when many are struggling.
The pandemic has hit the festival business "really, extremely hard," said Steve Madson, president of the Minnesota Festivals and Events Association. "People understand, certainly, but they're disappointed."
It means they won't get to hobnob with the mayor, connect with high school classmates or enjoy street entertainment. Community groups like the Lions Clubs will be out thousands of dollars, since they set up beer tents and sell concessions as fundraisers.
"There's so many people affected," said Angie Sedesky, coordinator of Andover Family Fun Fest, which would have marked its 25th anniversary this year. "It's really quite sad."
'Unprecedented situation'
From Stillwater's Lumberjack Days to New Brighton Stockyard Days, annual summer gatherings offer a sense of place and a nod to their cities' often-forgotten pasts.