Community Corner
Menlo Summer Fest 2020 Canceled For July: Coronavirus Woes
The decision to scrap the 30-plus-year tradition and community street fair in Menlo Park "was not made lightly," organizers said.
MENLO PARK, CA — The 2020 Menlo Summer Fest, scheduled for July 18-19, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying health concerns and mandates, organizers said today,
Officials from the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce said scrapping the popular, weekend street fair, given its 30-year-history and key purpose as a community fundraiser, was a tough call.
"This decision was not made lightly knowing the festival's importance as a fundraiser for participating non-profit groups, a showcase event for artists, musicians, culinary creators, sponsors and all of downtown Menlo Park, and out of respect to the tireless efforts of our festival committee,” the chamber said.
Find out what's happening in Palo Altofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Organizers said they weighed input from medical experts, city and county officials in the decision.
"It is unlikely that large public gatherings will be feasible this year under Governor Newsom’s COVID-19 recovery guidelines," they said.
Find out what's happening in Palo Altofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Hosted by the Menlo Park Chamber for more than three decades, the street fair first was introduced as Connoisseur’s Marketplace and later became known as Menlo Summer Fest. The two-day festival on the third weekend of July always drew crowds with live music, artists, health, wellness, home and garden exhibits, food and drink, plus kids' zone amusements.
The festival joins a growing list of Peninsula and Bay Area events on this year's chopping block due to coronavirus concerns. The cancellation — for the first time since World War II — of the San Mateo County Fair, set for June 13-21, was announced in early April. The Mountain View A la Carte & Art 2020 canceled its May 2-3 plans, as did Half Moon Bay's Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show, originally set for April 26.
Organizers said they are confident the Menlo Summer Fest will return in 2021.
“We are grateful for the tremendous public support of the festival over the past 30 years and are sorry to share this unfortunate news,"Menlo Park chamber officials said, adding that "we look forward to celebrating with you next year."
----------------
Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.
-------------------
ALSO SEE: Winchester Mystery House Offers New 'Immersive' Tour
-----------------
ARE THE KIDS GOING STIR-CRAZY?
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
