(Note: A previous post said the Lilac Festival was cancelled. This corrects the original article.)
Some events at the annual Lilac Festival, a notable preseason draw on Mackinac Island, have been cancelled for 2020, but organizers hope to keep the annual tradition alive on the island and online.
The festival is scheduled for June 4-14.
Some major events where people gather in numbers have been cancelled, such as the Lilac Festival Grand Parade and Mackinac Island Dog and Pony Show,
“These decisions are difficult, but prudent,” said Mackinac Island Tourism executive director Tim Hygh in a release.
While some events that have been cancelled in real time, there are plans to make it possible to enjoy some of the festival atmosphere online. “It really is a remarkable time on the island, and we’re going to do everything we can to recreate this experience virtually,” Hygh said.
Mackinac Island Tourism plans on moving ahead with many other scheduled events, such as the Lilac Queen Coronation, and are working diligently to plan and execute a digital version of the event for those who are unable to travel to the region.
