Glendale Heights Fest canceled

The village of Glendale Heights and the Glendale Heights Founders Day Committee have announced Glendale Heights Fest 2020 will be canceled due to COVID-19.

Glendale Heights Fest was scheduled for July 15-19 at Camera Park in Glendale Heights. But organizers say they believe the festival wouldn't be able to operate while respecting the governor's "Restore Illinois" plan, which calls for no mass gatherings until a vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 is developed.

"Glendale Heights Fest is something that not only the Glendale Heights community looks forward to every year, but people from all over the Chicagoland area attend," Glendale Heights Mayor Linda Jackson said in a statement. "However, I know that ultimately the health and safety of everyone involved is what is most important. We look forward to getting things back to normal as we all face these challenging times for the summer."

Glendale Heights Fest has been the signature Glendale Heights summer event since 1983 and draws more than 50,000 people a year. In addition to being a summer tradition, the festival recognizes the anniversary of the village.

The village is holding out hope for an abbreviated festival later in the year as long as it can be accomplished safely, officials said.