Iowa Irish Fest officially cancels 2020 season

Contact:

Chad Shipman, Iowa Irish Fest Director

319-464-7355, ShipmanChad@gmail.com

Lori Davis, AMPERAGE Public Relations

319-290-3780, LDavis@AMPERAGEmarketing.com

For Immediate Release: June 26, 2020

IOWA IRISH FEST CANCELS 2020 FEST DUE TO COVID-19

Decision to Cancel Comes After Governor Reynolds Extends Emergency Declaration

Calling for Continued Social Distancing

WATERLOO, Iowa — Iowa Irish Fest organizers announced today that they will cancel the 2020 Iowa Irish Fest scheduled for July 31-Aug. 2 in downtown Waterloo.

“Yesterday, Gov. Reynolds extended the emergency declaration through July 25, which calls for social distancing,” said Chad Shipman, Iowa Irish Fest director. “This declaration end-date may possibly be extended again — and is too close to our fest start date to allow our committee and our wonderful fans and artists from around the world to properly plan for the festival. Travel restrictions also are still in effect for international travel, and many of our artists come to us from Ireland, Scotland and other restricted countries. Unfortunately, government action related to COVID-19 has forced us to cancel our festival.”

Tickets have solely been sold online this year through the Iowa Irish Fest website. Iowa Irish Fest will be emailing all ticketholders next week with ticket refund information.

The annual Iowa Irish Fest is organized by the Cedar Valley Irish Cultural Association, an organization intended to foster and develop Irish fellowship and outreach into the community with Irish cultural events and programs.

“Our fans, partners, vendors, entertainers and volunteers have provided committee members with amazing support as we have had to weigh this go or no-go decision to hold our festival,” said Shipman. “Until yesterday, we were most hopeful we would be able to hold this wonderful community event. The good news during these bad economic times for so many is that our Iowa Irish Fest committee has been fiscally responsible and our fest is financially stable. Thanks to this great financial position, our partners, 80 committee members and hundreds of volunteers, we are ready, steadfast and excited to plan this festival for many years to come. We look forward to our next Iowa Irish Fest, Aug. 6-8, 2021.”

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