The Black Swamp Arts Festival will not happen this year.
The festival committee announced this morning that “it is with heavy hearts we announce that the Black Swamp Arts Festival is postponed until September 10, 11, & 12, 2021.”
The press release continued: “Before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, we were planning a great festival with an additional evening of art on Friday. After thorough research and analysis, we have come to the conclusion that it is not possible to guarantee the health and safety of our guests and volunteers. “
This would have been the 28th festival. The festival started in 1993 under a cloud, and was almost washed away the first year, but has persisted to become a signature event in the community. A study by the national marketing and research firm Womply this year found that festival weekend was the busiest for local business in terms of credit card transactions.
The festival costs about $150,000 to put on, and relies on more than 800 volunteers to stage. It brings tens of thousands of visitors to town, though because it’s free and unticketed precise numbers are impossible to determine.
Still, the volunteer festival committee said, the health and safety of our community is paramount.
All artists who have applied will receive their fees returned to them.
The announcement concluded: “The Festival Committee is eagerly looking forward to next year when we can celebrate live music and great art together. Until then, we will continue to support and promote the arts in our community, and we are already planning a fantastic Black Swamp Arts Festival for September 10, 11, & 12, 2021.”
