HOWELL, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Michigan Challenge Balloonfest in Howell has been canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, event organizers said in a Facebook post Thursday.
"It was with heavy hearts that the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce has made the decision to cancel the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest for this year due to overwhelming concern for public health as a result of COVID -19," the post reads.
"As the Chairman of this event I know that this was a tough decision that the Board had to make and is a huge disappointment to all involved especially those of us on the committee who work year round to bring this event to the families in our community," said Howell Chamber of Commerce Chairman Rick Resinger in the comments section of the post. "But I do know, that without exception this committee and community will bond together to make next years event one to remember!"
The annual balloonfest, which gathers crowds from all over, has been going on for 35 years.
Organizers say the festival will return in 2021.
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