Virus threatens traditional community festivals

Several community events in the area are in jeopardy due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and several face cancellation.
In Belleville, Joan Bodnar, the executive director of the National Strawberry Festival, said the city has withdrawn all approvals and permit requests for permits for the 44th annual event scheduled for June 19, 20 and 2.
“Our main concern is public safety. We are going to listen to what the president says and what the governor advises and hope that we can re-present our requests to the city,” Bodnar said. “It is just really up in the air right now. There are just too many questions,” she said. She said that the committee is going to “wait and see” what the conditions are at the end of the month.

“The city has the ultimate decision. As I said, our main concern is public safety. If it is safe to have crowds, we will re-petition the city for permits and have the festival. We will abide by what the city tells us,” she said.
This would be the 44th year for the National Strawberry Festival in Belleville, a tradition which draws thousands of visitors to the community. The event celebrates all things strawberry and includes a parade down Main Street with a grand marshal, the selection of a Strawberry Queen, carnival rides and Cinnamon's Car Show. Volunteers from local churches have prepared home made pies and other strawberry treats sold during the three-day event for more than four decades.
Interim Belleville City Manager Tracey Schultz Kobylarz, who has been given emergency management powers by the members of the city council, announced the denial of all city permits for the Strawberry Festival in a published statement last week.
“Due to the on-going COVID-19 crisis the City of Belleville must do everything in its power to ensure the health and safety of our residents, staff and businesses. It is for that reason and through the powers of emergency management bestowed upon me through City Council, I am cancelling the City's participation and withdrawing all approvals of associated activities of the National Strawberry Festival this year,” her statement read.
Bodnar, however, said she is still hopeful.
“I've talked with my board and they are in agreement. We will wait and see, and if  it is safe, we will re-petition for permits.”
Other community events and celebrations throughout the area have also been canceled or are in doubt due to the severe health threat posed by the COVID 19 virus.
In Canton Township, no final decision has been made by officials regarding the Canton Liberty Fest, set this year for June 18-20. Organizers said the issue is still under discussion, but if the event takes place, it will most likely be a much smaller celebration than in the past, in light of the current health threat.
In Plymouth, the Art In The Park event, set for July 10-12 will take place as scheduled, according to reports. 
Wayne Downtown Days could also be canceled although there is no decision about the event usually set for early August, according to Wayne Main Street, the organizer of the event.
In Westland, the All American Cruise, scheduled for June 20, has been canceled but could be rescheduled, according to organizer Don Nicholson. Cruisn' Hines, an event set for Aug. 23 will proceed as scheduled, he added.
Blues, Brews and BBQ in Westland, a city sponsored event set for Aug. 7-8, will go on as scheduled, according to organizers.
The city will postpone the All American Craft Beer & Wine Festival set for May 30. No alternate date for that event has been chosen.
Wayne County Mud Day organizers are unsure about the event set for July 7 at Nankin Mills in Westland. A final decision about the event that attracts hundreds of youngsters from throughout the are has not been made, according to county officials.