BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Organizers have cancelled the 2020 Canal Fest of the Tonawandas due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The festival board says the decision was made in the best interest of the thousands of people who would have attended the annual eight-day festival that celebrates the cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda every July.
The Canal Fest parade alone draws thousands of people to both cities on the Tuesday night of the festival.
More than 50 non-profit organizations and groups will be affected by the cancellation.
Rescheduling the festival, which was set to take place July 19 to 26 and celebrate its 38th year, is not an option due to road improvement projects, organizers said. However, they are looking into the possibility of holding a fall festival to help fill the void.
Earlier this week, organizers of the Allentown Art Festival announced they are cancelling this year's festival due to health concerns. The Buffalo Greek Festival will also not be held in June. Other summertime events, including Taste of Buffalo and the Erie County Fair, are taking a wait-and-see approach for the time being.
