Cheeseburger fest isn’t happening

michigansthumb.com

Chamber: Cheeseburger fest isn’t happening

MARK BIRDSALL

mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com

CASEVILLE — Despite any rumors to the contrary, Caseville Area Chamber of Commerce President Steve Louwers wants to remind fans of the Cheeseburger in Caseville that the festival is still canceled, and no officially sponsored events will take place in 2020.

For reasons of safety and liability, the chamber was forced to cancel this year’s festival in June. Since then, some Caseville businesses have made plans to hold their own unofficial events during the time the festival was originally scheduled.

They’ve dubbed their unofficial observance of Caseville’s wildly popular, 10-day festival “A Slice of Cheeseburger.”

“It’s not going to be anything big,” Louwers said. “If they can help recoup some of their losses from a dismal summer, hopefully they can. In no way are the businesses doing anything to jeopardize the people.”

Chamber officials posted a notice to their Facebook page Wednesday morning emphasizing the official festival will not take place this summer, in any form.

MARK BIRDSALL

mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com

KINDE — Organizers of the Kinde Polka Fest have announced the cancellation of this year’s festival.

Helen Wiley, secretary/ treasurer of the Friends of Kinde, said the decision was a tough one to make but knew it was inevitable because ofrestrictions on the size of public gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic. She added that the economic downturn caused by the lengthy shutdown also led to the cancellation, and organizers held off making a final decision until the very last minute.

“To go out and get sponsors this year would have been difficult because everyone has been hit financially by the situation we’re in,” Wiley said. “It might even be difficult for us next year, but we’re still going to pull off the festival regardless, as long as we’re healthy enough to have it.”

This year’s event, originally scheduled for Sept. 19-20, would have been the festival’s 15th anniversary, and organizers had been planning something special

to mark the milestone and its significance to the community. Wiley said the festival usually draws thousands of people to Kinde, and money raised by events like the Sunday breakfast are directed to help North Huron students, but the safety of festival goers and volunteers is their top priority. “It’s been hard for everyone, but we just have to stick together and for the next year to be better for us,” she said. “It’s almost like a death in the family, in a sense.” Wiley is encouraging polka The Caseville Area Chamber Commerce is working to dispel rumors that some form of the official Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival is still taking place. (Tribune File Photo) Louwers said business ownwe want to clear up. are unable to hold any Chamers have every right to make Cheeseburger in Caseville ber Sponsored Cheeseburger individual plans, and he’s 2020 is a no-go. Events. confident they will all follow “We’re not having a “Some local businesses all state-issued guidelines mini version or trying to have chosen to keep the spirand observe all safety presneak something in under it of the festival alive and cautions. the radar. The Festival is feature festival-themed food

The chamber’s official organized by the Caseville and entertainment. statement read as follows: Chamber of Commerce and “Our recommendation and

“There seems to be some due to funding, insurance, understanding is that they bad info floating around that safety, and restrictions we are doing so within the cur

rent Michigan Guidelines. We are supportive of our member businesses doing this and working hard to salvage a devastating summer season.”

Louwers added that Caseville has been filled with visitors since Memorial Day weekend, and the weekly Market on Main Street has been very successful. Area businesses have been doing well considering the current circumstances, he said, though nothing can make up for what the festival would have provided in terms of revenue. He went out his way to praise them for taking all necessary safety precautions since they were allowed to reopen.

“They’re doing an absolutely fabulous job of complying with the governor’s rules on social distancing and wearing masks,” Louwers said.

The chamber has ordered commemorative 2020 T-shirts and buttons for long-time collectors, and Louwers said he’s already hard at work organizing the 2021 festival.

He reiterated the top priority of all involved is the health and safety of festivalgoers and Caseville resi

Kinde Polka Fest canceled due to pandemic restrictions

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dents. fans to share their photos, memories and anything else associated with Kinde Polka Fest to the festival Facebook page.

“It’s been an interesting journey for us all, and this just adds a different type of chapter to it,” she said. “We will come back bigger and better, and we look forward to people returning to Kinde next year to enjoy all of the fun that goes with Kinde Polka Fest.”

Polka fans can check for news and updates on the festival’s official website, kindepolkafest.org.

Hours of Operation:

Mon.-Fri. 5am-10pm • Sat. 8am-6:30pm • Sun. Closed Huron Transit Corporation

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