Summer festivals on hold
By ERIC SEIVERLING
eseiverling@yourmvi.com
Like the hit song by Simon and Garfunkel, the summer of 2020 looks like it will be filled with the sounds of silence.
While schools and businesses have felt the impact of being shut down by the coronavirus pandemic, many Mon Valley communities are pulling the plug on concerts, fairs, parades and other events that draw large crowds.
Even Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement that most counties in Southwest Pennsylvania are moving from the red phase to the yellow phase does little to quell concerns about this season’s concert schedules.
To the dismay of music fans, communities have either made the decision to cancel concerts or have yet to announce concert lineups for fear of the unknown.
“As of now, we’re on hold,” said Daniel Carr, summer concerts chairman for the McKeesport Lions Club summer concert series held every summer in Renziehausen Park.
Carr said an uncertain future is the reason a 2020 concert schedule has yet to be announced and the International Village food festival could be canceled, but Carr said he has hopes for a revised food festival scheduled for August or September.
“We can’t do anything now. From what I can see, we have to be compliant with the state’s guidelines. Nobody’s gone through this in our lifetimes.”
Under the state’s yellow phase, gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited. A move to the green phase would increase that number to no more than 100 people, a number that still doesn’t sit well with Carr.
“We can get 1,000 people at our concerts,” he said.
Also in McKeesport, The Western Pennsylvania Soap Box Derby, an event that draws hundreds of spectators each year, has been canceled.
“With the virus and stay-at-home order lasting till June 4, we would not be able to do anything and comply with social distancing requirements,” read a Facebook post Tuesday from the Western PA Soap Box nonprofit. “It is better to be safe than sorry. Stay safe and enjoy your summer. We will be back next year.”
In Monongahela, the popular Fleatique on the Mon scheduled for June 6 has been canceled.
“We are aware this event has become a tradition in our town, but at this time, canceling is in the best interest of the health and well-being of our community,” the Monongahela Chamber of Commerce wrote on its Facebook page. “We are following the guidelines from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Obviously, we are disappointed. If you have submitted an application you will be receiving a letter in the mail within the next few days.”
In Washington County, the popular Whiskey Rebellion and All-Clad Factory Outlet Sale have been canceled, and at the Meadows Casino Event Center, concerts by Diamond Rio, Rodney Carrington, Lit and Marcy Playground, The Australian Bee Gees, Sara Evans and The Ultimate Tribute to Garth Brooks featuring Shawn Gerhard have all been rescheduled for dates later in the summer.
“The future is unknown even when we go from yellow to green phases,” said Jeff Kotula, president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. “We don’t know what that means. How will it affect social distancing? People could also be a little bit nervous about going our for the first time.”
Canceling concerts can have a negative financial impact on communities.
According to Kotula, the most recent tourism impact study completed by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development states that recreation contributes $193.8 million in economic activity in Washington County with festivals and local events being major contributors to that figure.
“Not only do festivals and local events attract visitors to the county, they also directly support local jobs who cater to these visitors,” Kotula said. “With many events and festivals rescheduling or even canceling due to the COVID-19 emergency, we will see a downturn in this spending locally. However, I am certain once this situation passes, we will see the same support and community spirit for these events as we have in the past.”
Carr said the Lions Club McKeesport summer concert series receives money from the Allegheny Regional Asset District, which distributes grant money to libraries, parks and trails, arts and cultural organizations, regional facilities and public transit, as well as private funds from Lions Club members.
“Obviously, our club is losing money,” Carr said.
How are the cancellations affecting those on the other side of the stage who were looking forward to performing for their fans this summer?
“I don’t think I imagined something like this would ever happen,” said Jon Belan of Belle Vernon, a vocalist for local rock band Gene the Werewolf. “I’m pretty sure this will make the history books.”
Belan said his band has had to cancel gigs such as the Millvale Music Festival and the Deutschtown Music Festival, which features 200 bands on Pittsburgh’s North Side.
Due to Wolf’s stay-at-home orders, Belan and his bandmates haven’t even rehearsed.
“We haven’t seen each other in person since this all started,” he said. “I’ve been spending a lot of time in the studio in my house. We’ve taken this opportunity to do things online and do video conferencing. We haven’t stopped the behind-the-scenes work. When we get back together, it’s like time was never wasted.”
Like most people, Belan is optimistic concerts will return to the area sooner than later.
“We’ve all been locked up and everyone has been bored,” he said. “I’d like to think that by the time summer hits, people will be ready to rock again.”
