There are rituals that announce the coming of summer in this patch of the bipeninsular paradise we call home. Part of these are the festivals and celebrations that are sprinkled throughout the region. In Newaygo it has always been the Memorial Day Celebration when a winter’s worth of works by crafters find their way onto the tables of dozens of vendors at Brooks Park. Visitors and residents combine to pack the park as well as the downtown eateries and shops holding sidewalk sales. But not this year. Like so many festivals that have been shoved to the wayside by the COVID-19 pandemic and the guidelines involving social distancing and large gatherings Memorial Day 2020 will not see any booths sprouting at Brooks and that coveted first elephant ear of the season will have to be postponed. Thus far plans are to hold the event during the 4th of July weekend according to a press release from the River Country Chamber of Commerce organizers of the early summer celebration. Additional planning is proceeding in concert with the Newaygo County Health Department, the Newaygo Police Department, Newaygo County Emergency Services and the City of Newaygo. "The safety and health of our entire community, guests, volunteers, vendors and staff is our first priority and always top of mind when making our decisions,” said Chamber Executive Director Colleen Lynema. Among area festivals cancelled thus far include Holland’s Tulip Festival, Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids, Electric Forest in Rothbury and the 4th of July Fun Fest in Hesperia. A bit farther out, two of the state's biggest July events, the Cherry Festival and the Ann Arbor Art Fair have already pulled the plug for this year.
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