Summer Festivals Plan to Return with Modifications
As you make your summer plans, you can count on festivals to once again be part of the fun. Several festivals in the northwest suburbs are back on this summer. Last year, many of those festivals were canceled.
While festivals are making a return this year, things will still be a little different following the pandemic.
Crystal Frolics
Crystal Frolics had a plan to reinvent itself in 2020. Organizers planned for softball tournaments at Welcome Park while the rest of the festivities would take place at the newly renovated Becker Park. But COVID-19 hit and plans changed.
“Of course last year with the pandemic, we had to cancel. It was quite a blow and it was hard to do, but it was the right thing to do,” said Lynn Haney, Crystal Frolics president.
This year, Crystal Frolics is back and sticking to its reinvention.
“We’re coming back strong and we’re coming back new. See that was what last year was supposed to be, which was why it was disappointing,” said Haney.
This year, First Student bus company will offer free shuttle service between Welcome and Becker parks. Beer tents, food trucks, fireworks and much more are all part of the fun.
Crystal Frolics 2019
Robbinsdale Whiz Bang Days
For summer festivals in other cities operations will look a little different.
“Some events will be back as they have before, some will be a hybrid event,” said Pam Scheiller with Robbinsdale Whiz Bang Days.
Scheiller said there won’t be a block party this year due to COVID, but residents can expect to see several new activities including a virtual scavenger hunt and a reverse parade.
“Instead of an actual physical parade moving down the street, it’ll be a reverse parade. So units will be stationary and people can drive down that set parade route,” Scheiller explained.
Crystal Frolics parade in 2019
Funding Concerns
However, like with everything, there’s a price. Scheiller admitted that they’ll have to watch what they’re spending. Businesses that typically sponsor the festivals were hit hard by the pandemic.
“We’ve reached out but we don’t expect donations we normally get,” Scheiller said.
Crystal Frolics is in the same boat. Both festivals use donations from the year before to fund their events. The hope is this year they’ll have enough to keep going strong.
“We’re hoping that now that things have started to open up that that will change,” said Haney.
Maple Grove Days is also scheduled for July. Find more details here.
