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Summerfest canceled
Summerfest canceled
MILWAUKEE -- The lakeside festival that draws hundreds of thousands of people to downtown Milwaukee each summer has been canceled for the first time in 53 years after it was earlier moved to September.
Summerfest officials said Thursday, June 4 that out of an “abundance of caution” for fans, artists, vendors and staff, the event will not take place this year.
Summerfest CEO Don Smiley says staff explored numerous options to operate the festival in a safe manner in light of the coronavirus outbreak, but could not find acceptable alternatives.
"It was a difficult decision," said Smiley. "It's painful. We know hundreds of thousands of people will miss Summerfest this year, but it was the only decision. It was the responsible decision. No one has a crystal ball. We really don't know what's going to happen regarding COVID-19 come September."
FOX6 News spoke with a food vendor who's been at Summerfest since the 70s, who called the decision devastating.
Mader's Restaurant typically sees a lot of business at Summerfest and German Fest -- providing food and entertainment at the festival since the 70s.
"I'm just going to miss seeing all the people that come our for Summerfest and German Fest," said Auben Mader, owner.
"I'll miss the magic of the music, and all the people that come flooding through those gates," said Smiley.
Summerfest, which bills itself as the world's largest music festival, said it has a $186 million economic impact annually. Organizers were to unveil the new $53 million American Family Insurance Amphitheater during the festival this year.
Summerfest, which began in 1968, is held at Henry Maier Festival Park, adjacent to Lake Michigan. It draws 800,000 to 900,000 people each summer.
A statement from Don Smiley, president & CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. surrounding the cancellation: