BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. – The century-old tradition in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph will not be happening again this year in Michigan.
The festival was previously canceled last May due to the pandemic, but plans were underway to hold it again this spring.
A concern in COVID-19 cases rising again in Michigan, in addition to local school marching bands unable to participate because of the pandemic, was simply too much of a risk to hold the parade.
“Last year, we were dead-right in the middle of the pandemic, and though this year things are getting much, much better, we’re just quite not ready to, you know, really go with it this year, and so it’s sad,” said Anna Abdelnour, Blossomtime Festival President.
The parade is expected to return next year and plans to hold the Mr. and Miss. Blossomtime Pageant this September is expected to continue, with an expansion of the age limit for participants who may have missed out.