Navigating through a global pandemic does not come with a playbook or guidebook. \;The facts\, data\, information\, discussions and decisions are valid for only a minuscule moment of time. \;What seemed a week ago\, a day ago or even an hour ago\, is not what it is right now. \;Just a few short weeks ago\, the State of Illinois entered Phase 4 of its \;&ldquo\;Restore Illinois&rdquo\; \;Plan. \;We were collectively moving to reopen and proceeding forward to what would become the new normal. \;Hopeful that we would soon see a path to \;Phase 5.
\n\nAt the same time\, the \;Frankfort Chamber of Commerce \;and the \;Fall Festival Committee \;shared that they continued to move forward with the planning of \;Fall Festival. \;It was noted that the final outcome of the event was &ldquo\;&hellip\;..much bigger than simply the \;Committee\, the \;Chamber \;or even the \;Village of Frankfort&rdquo\;. \;The \;Frankfort Fall Festival \;is the number 3 nationally ranked festival of it&rsquo\;s kind. \;Over Labor Day Weekend the \;Chamber of Commerce \;and our \;Community \;traditionally hosts over 250 unique artisans from around the United States and other countries. \;While Illinois is maintaining it&rsquo\;s numbers at this time\, we watch our Nation experience significant upticks. \;Upticks that have a direct impact on the \;Residents of Frankfort \;and the \;Volunteers \;and \;Patrons of the Festival.
\n\nIt would have been very easy in May of this year\, to make an announcement that \;Fall Festival \;was cancelled. \;&ldquo\;We look forward to next year\, better than ever. \;Thanks for your support and understanding&rdquo\;. \;Unfortunately\, it is not that easy. \;Fall Festival\, though run by the \;Chamber of Commerce\, \;partners with many civic and philanthropic organizations who rely on the event to fund their efforts in our Community. \;Not having Fall Festival means not allowing these organizations to give back and pay it forward in the same manner they have in the past. \;In some cases\, these organizations may be forced to cease their operations all together.
\n\nMaintaining that health and safety was and continues to be the top priority\, the \;Chamber of Commerce \;and the \;Fall Festival Committee \;spent a great deal of time to review numerous solutions and alternatives to make \;Fall Festival 2020 \;a reality. \;Unfortunately none of them support the brand of the \;Fest\, the \;Chamber of Commerce \;or the \;Village of Frankfort. \;Unanimously the \;Festival Committee \;and the \;Chamber of Commerce Board \;agree that we have no viable alternatives to make Fall Festival 2020 a reality.
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\n\nWith much sadness and some tears\, \;Frankfort Fall Festival 2020 is cancelled.
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\n\nJohn Clavio
\n\n2020 Frankfort Fall Fest Chair
\n\nBert Behnke
\n\n2020 Frankfort Chamber Board President
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