October 28, 2021
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Harvard Milk Days fall events canceled over COVID-19 pandemic concerns

Events had been rescheduled to the fall after being canceled in the spring

By Ben Szalinski

Juan Ortega, 13, of Harvard, wins the 11- to 13-year-old division of the annual Harvard Milk Days milk-chugging contest on Saturday, June 3, 2017, in Harvard. (John Konstantaras)

Harvard Milk Days events will not be happening this fall after organizers made the decision to cancel the festivities while the county continues to deal with high transmission rates of the COVID-19 virus.

Parades, the big wheel and bed races, prince and princess contests, the milk run and walk, country breakfast and fireworks, which were rescheduled after being cancelled in the spring, will not be taking place as scheduled in mid-October, according to a statement from even organizers shared on Facebook.

Organizers said the “continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic” caused the cancellations although some events were held over the summer.

The pandemic forced the cancellation of the events last fall as well, although fireworks still were held at the end of September. 2021 was the festival’s 80th year of celebrations.

Information about Milk Days can be found at milkdays.com and on their Facebook page.

Harvard
Ben Szalinski

Ben Szalinski

Ben reports on local news in Harvard, Marengo, Huntley and Lake in the Hills along with the McHenry County Board. He graduated from the University of Illinois Springfield Public Affairs Reporting program in 2021. Ben is originally from Mundelein and enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with friends and family.