ESCANABA — After the recent postponement of the U.P. State Fair and the Great Lakes Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo, a third major event at the U.P. State Fairgrounds has been called off for 2020. The U.P. Steam and Gas Engine Association announced the cancelation of its 45th annual show Wednesday.

The annual show had been scheduled for this year’s Labor Day weekend — Sept. 4-7. The event has been a local tradition since 1976; as of 2019, it attracted between 8,000 to 10,000 visitors per year on average.

According to a post on the association’s Facebook page, the decision was made by its board of directors. It was motivated by continued limitations on large events in Michigan due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This was not an easy decision, but we see no way to hold the kind of show people have come to expect under the current restrictions,” the Facebook post stated.

Those who were planning to participate in this year’s annual show will learn more about the future of the event soon.

“Exhibitors who took advantage of early registration should expect to receive information about the 2021 show later this month,” the Facebook post stated.

While area residents wait for next year’s show, an alternate event will be offered online.

“We know this is a bitter disappointment to many of you, so we’re working on a plan to hold a virtual show on social media,” the Facebook post stated.

Details on how people can get involved with the virtual show will be released in the near future.

For more information, find “U.P. Steam And Gas Engine Association” on Facebook.