Calgary's Lilac Festival has been postponed until the fall

Organizers, unsurprisingly, have decided to postpone the annual Lilac Festival.

The 4th Street Lilac Festival is usually held at the end of May to celebrate the arrival of spring, but given the current COVID-19 pandemic, it was clear that the 31st edition of the event would have to be either cancelled or postponed.

Organizers chose the latter following a directive from the City of Calgary, and decided to instead host it sometime in September, with no date specified.

The event usually draws around 80,000 people to the Beltline and Mission neighbourhoods — well over the recommended maximum of 15 as we all strive to practice physical distancing.

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“We realize the hardships that are a result of this pandemic and we want you to know we are doing our very best to ensure that we are making decisions with our health, safety, and the overall well-being of our city in mind,” said a release from Lilac Festival organizers.

“We’re committed to being both responsive and responsible as we navigate these times and do our part to support the local businesses, artisans, and makers who rely on festivals and shows such as this one to survive. Please continue to share these posts, stay current with the latest updates, and support local whenever possible. We couldn’t do what we do without you and we can’t wait to see this fear lifted and our city thriving once again!”