The Market Street Festival will return this year after a one-year hiatus, but it will shift from May to September for safety reasons, Main Street Columbus announced through a press release Friday.
The new dates will be Sept. 17-18, but Market Street Festival Coordinator Amber Brislin said the event will return to its traditional May schedule in 2022.
The shift from spring to fall reflects the group’s concern that the COVID-19 vaccine might not be fully available to the general public by May.
“Main Street Columbus is committed to quality of life and what is best for our entire community,” said Shannon Bowen, Main Street Columbus board president. “To host an event in (May) that boasts crowds upwards of 30,000 would be irresponsible.”
Vendor space and sponsorships are available. Vendor applications are online at marketstreetfestival.com or, for more information, contact the Main Street office at [email protected]. The deadline for vendor applications is July 31, 2021.
Last year’s Market Street was canceled because of COVID-19 concerns.
Main Street Executive Director Barbara Bigelow said being able to hold the event this year is of critical importance to the organization, which supports downtown businesses.
“Market Street Festival is a paramount event in Columbus and produces critical funding to ensure other endeavors of Main Street Columbus throughout the year,” Bigelow said. “This festival has a significant positive economic impact in our community and it is imperative that we have this annual event.”
All questions and concerns should be directed to the Main Street Columbus office at 662-328-6305 or via email at [email protected].
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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