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COVID-19 takes toll on summer events

ESCANABA — Five more summer events have been canceled sue to the COVID-19 pandemic. Marina Fest, Woodtick Music Festival, Bark River Off Road Races, Waterfront Arts Festival and Rock Lions Club Labor Day Celebration have all been postponed until next year.

The annual Marina Fest was scheduled for July 25.

“We want to ensure the safety of all individuals and felt it would be best to cancel this event. We appreciate all of your past support and hope to see you next year,” Escanaba city officials said.

Any questions can be directed to the habormaster at (906) 786-9614,

or email at marina@escanaba.org.

The Woodtick Music Festival in Hermansville had planned to have 30 bands on two stages, starting July 30. It would have been the 27th annual event, with rock, country, blues and folk music.

“We’ve been shut down. … It has been made clear that non-compliance with the face mask rule to any extent or lack of social distancing would constitute negative action by government authorities,” the festival’s website said.

“All local entities have been a pleasure to work with. But all to no avail as we have been overruled by non-local entities,” the website said.

The festival began in 1994 with a group of people cooking hot dogs, playing music and watching a Green Bay Packers game.

The Bonifas Arts Center has decided to cancel this year’s Waterfront Arts Festival in August.

“Given the current circumstances we would not be able to provide attendees, artists and vendors the experience they have come to expect while attending the festival. Most importantly, we are committed to keeping our community healthy and safe,” organizers said.

Artists and vendors are invited to take part in a virtual art festival this year. The Bonifas Arts Center encourages the public to visit Virtual Waterfront Art Festival online, Aug. 1 – 31, to purchase gift items from artists. Go to www.bonifasarts.org, and look for the link to the virtual Waterfront Art Festival.

The Rock Lions Club Labor day Celebration had been scheduled for Sept. 5

The 45th Annual Island Resort and Casino Off-Road Rumble in the U.P. has been canceled. An announcement was made by officials from Bark River International Raceway, the Bark River Lions Club and Championship Off-Road earlier this week.

According to a press release posted by Championship Off-Road, series and event leaders met and “overwhelmingly” voted to cancel the race Monday. This year’s race had been scheduled for Aug. 14-16.

The decision to call off 2020’s race was made in response to continued restrictions on large events in Michigan. Executive Order 2020-115, signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in early June, limits these events to a maximum of 500 attendees.

In a joint statement, the Bark River Lions Club and Bark River International Raceway said they were “disappointed” that the race had to be canceled. However, they felt it was important to protect the health and safety of the people who would have participated in the event.

“We look forward to the summer of 2021 when we will provide our fans with the best professional short course, off-road racing in the country. Our commitment to host a world class event, and to the safety of everyone involved will continue to be a priority. But most importantly, the Bark River Lions Club will continue to support the projects and organizations that the proceeds from this event impact the most,” the statement read.

The race is far from the only local event that will not take place as scheduled this summer. Previously, the U.P. State Fair, the U.P. Steam and Gas Engine Association Annual Show, the Great Lakes Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo and the Schoolcraft County Fair had all been canceled or postponed.

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