Cedar Springs Red Flannel Festival Canceled This Year
One of the longest running festivals in Michigan won't be happening in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Cedar Spring Red Flannel Festival organizers shared to Facebook on Monday, July 20, that the event is canceled, saying,
"With the current restrictions set in place by the State of Michigan to combat the COVID-19 virus, the Festival board did not see a path forward that did not put our most important asset, our community at risk. "
The Red Flannel Festival is usually the first Saturday in October and includes several parades, a car show, carnival, marching band competition, craft fair, talent show, food events, and more.
2020 would have been the festival's 81st year.
If you're not familiar with the original of the Red Flannel Festival, as the story goes, 1936 saw one of the worst winters in the nation's history. A columnist from New York lamented the nation's apparent lack of "red flannels" (a type of warm, wool, undergarment). Writers for the local Cedar Springs newspaper responded that there were plenty of red flannels to be found as local stores had to keep them stocked for West Michigan lumberjacks.The Associated Press picked up the story and suddenly orders from all over began pouring in to Cedar Springs merchants. Three years later, the town celebrated their first "Red Flannel Day".
Organizers say the are planning to hold the next Red Flannel Festival October 2, 2021.