Grayslake arts group to host May Fest online because of COVID-19 concerns

After initially canceling the Grayslake Arts Alliance's May Fest because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group said this week it will go ahead with the event as an online sale this year.

The Alliance's signature summer event at the Grayslake Heritage Center allows local artists to connect with the community and sell their wares. Starting at 9 a.m. May 2, art from the organization's members will be available for purchase at grayslakeartsalliance.org.

"It's going to be an adventure, something we've never done before," said Ernest Schweit, the president of the Grayslake Arts Alliance. "We wanted to keep our name out there and let our members have a chance to increase their profile in the community."

The current plan is for the sale to end at 11:59 p.m. the same day. However, Paul Price, an executive board member who chairs the events committee, said the sale may be extended if there is demand.

Besides an obvious lack of human interaction, the online version of May Fest will be missing several components of the regular event. Last year, it featured performances from around 20 musicians with the Lake County Folk Club. Though there were initial discussions about having a musical livestream component, the group decided to nix those for now, Schweit said. Also missing will be the art activities for kids and adults that Alliance members would have led.

The online May Fest will be the first time art will be available for sale on the Alliance website. Price said he hopes now that the group is setting up the online store for May Fest, it can be used again in the future.

"It gives us a chance to expand online presence and the ability to reach perhaps a larger audience, although we aren't doing the show in person," Price said. "It's a blessing in disguise."

Schweit said he will miss having the event in person.

"But hopefully the cyber sale will give us a chance to continue to make a case for the arts in Grayslake," he said.