Lincoln Highway Festival postponed

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ROCHELLE – Due to safety concerns surrounding COVID-19 and the current stay-at-home order, Rochelle’s annual Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival will be postponed until next year.

With the safety of the community being its No. 1 priority, the Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival Committee gathered to decide whether to postpone the festival or not. After discussion and a vote, the committee agreed the best course of action for both safety and funding reasons, is to postpone it until the following year.

“Looking at the safety factor, we made a committee decision to not host the festival and postpone it until next year,” said Lisa Chrisco, president of the Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival committee. “Our festival is funded by the community, so we were concerned about taking those funds with everything going on and money being so tight.”

The festival, which includes carnival rides, food and drink vendors and the Hub City Cruisers car show, would have been celebrating its 23rd year in Rochelle. This is the first time in history the event has been postponed.

While this decision was made with a deeply saddened heart, the festival committee would like everybody to understand it was for the safety of the community. Committee members are already planning for the festival’s return next summer.

“The dates are set for Aug. 20, 21 and 22, of 2021,” said Chrisco. “We are definitely looking forward to an even bigger and better festival for next year.”

Even though the festival may not be taking place this year, it is always looking for volunteers to help with several different tasks. Volunteers help complete jobs such as coordinating, setting up, making phone calls and sending envelopes.

All help is appreciated and anybody who would like to volunteer can sign up through its Facebook page or website at www.lincolnhighwayheritagefestival.com. Though the current times are tough, the festival committee reminds everybody things will get better and thanks the entire community for its continued support through the years.

“Our community and our city are a wonderful place and I appreciate every individual in this town,” said Chrisco. “They have always looked forward the festival and come out to support it each year. Everything will get better and we pray for the best for everybody.”