With a heavy heart, the 48th Annual Seymour Oktoberfest has been canceled.
While Indiana’s Back on Track Plan allows for fairs and festivals to be held on or after July 4, there is still uncertainty regarding potential restrictions through the remainder of this year, according to the festival committee.
“As with other fairs and festivals in Indiana, we have had to address this uncertainty while keeping the health and safety of the public a top priority,” the group noted on their Facebook page.
Specifically, some of their major concerns included:
- Uncertainty surrounding Indiana’s Back on Track Plan timeline
- Challenges regarding restrictions and best practices for social distancing, PPE use, contact tracing, etc.
- Logistical concerns for increased sanitation efforts
- Disruption in the food supply chain
“We do not take this decision lightly. This decision will impact our community and the local businesses and organizations that participate in the Seymour Oktoberfest. Our beloved festival would not be the same without their support and the public’s patronage, and this fact made our decision even more difficult,” the group wrote.
”As Indiana and other states continue the process of reopening, we are hopeful that we can all work together to learn, adapt, and overcome. Through the remainder of 2020, we will stay in communication with health officials, vendors, partners, and industry peers to prepare for a return in 2021.”
