Visit Us
Walk through history as we guide you to things to learn, places to discover, and events that help connect us to our rich heritage.
Lehigh Valley Live: Summer of bummer: COVID-19 forces Lehigh Valley summer events to cancel for safety precautions
June 1st, 2020 | In The News
Written by Connor Lagore for Lehigh Valley Live
During any other summer, weekend schedules would be packed with opportunities to attend as many festivals, performances and events as possible.
But with the current coronavirus pandemic and the emphasis on social distancing, even as the state transitions into the “yellow phase,” it’s become nearly impossible to safely hold many of the Lehigh Valley’s beloved annual events.
Here’s a list of all the festivals and events that have been canceled, postponed or modified.
Blueberry Festival: While the Blueberry Festival will not be an in-person event necessarily, it is finding a way to go on. Now referred to as the Blueberry Festival To Go Market, the July 18 to July 26 festival is adapting to the current pandemic while still celebrating and selling blueberries and all their uses. More information about the new market can be found on its website.
Das Awkscht Fescht: The antique and classic car show, which was scheduled for the July 31-Aug. 2 weekend, announced on its website that the 2020 festival would be canceled in the interest of safety for attendees, participants, vendors and volunteers.
Kutztown Folk Festival: The next in-person Kutztown fest is scheduled June 26-July 4 in 2021, but the 2020 version of the festival will have some virtual events on its website, including its popular quilt auction. More information on those events is available on the festival’s website.
Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival: The beloved festival announced on its website that all performances in the summer season would be canceled due to COVID-19. The staff is working to facilitate options for ticket-holders.
Phillipsburg Ole Town Festival: According to its website, the festival has been canceled.
Schnecksville Community Fair: The fair announced on its website that due to the pandemic, the fair will not be held this year.
Washington Celebrates America: The Washington Celebrates America committee announced on May 26 that it is canceling July 4 activities due to the uncertainty around the coronavirus. The committee cited the dangers of large crowds, limited participation and overall safety measures as the reason for the unfortunate decision. Richard Maguire, the committee chair, said in the statement: “We know how much everyone looks forward to it. We’ll be working hard to bring back Washington Celebrates America in 2021, bigger and better than ever!”
Wheels of Time Street Rod Association: WOTSRA announced on its Facebook page that the Macungie Memorial Park, the site of the association’s 2020 Rod and Custom Car Jamboree, would be closed by its owners for all types of events. The association will be in contact with pre-registered entries and vendors.
