Coronavirus Cancels St Catherine of Alexandria Carnival

OAK LAWN, IL — St. Catherine of Alexandria is calling off it’s popular summer parish carnival citing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. The carnival traditionally falls on the first full weekend in June and the 2020 edition was set for the weekend of June 4 through June 7. Proceeds from the carnival went to support the Oak Lawn parish’s K-8 elementary school.

“Luckily, we were able to make good profits from the last few years, and we’re fine as far as the school goes,” Kai Grant said, a member the parish carnival committee. “The carnival is the first weekend in June and most our planning takes place now up until the carnival.”

Illinois residents remain under a stay-at-home order through April 30. Depending on the spread of COVID-19, that order may be extended.

“Even if the stay-at-home order is lifted, there will still be people who don’t want to come or volunteer,” Grant said. “We went back and forth, it wasn’t an easy decision.”

The parish carnival committee announced it was canceling on Facebook.

“We have to do what we think is best,” Grant said. “With so much uncertainty canceling it made the most sense.”