Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By CHARITY SMITH
Bessemer — The Bessemer Fourth of July Committee announced “with heavy hearts” the cancellation of the Bessemer Blast 2020 on Thursday, “due to the many uncertainties in the weeks ahead resulting from COVID-19.”
“It was a tough decision, but with everything that is going on, we almost really didn’t have a choice in the matter,” said Linda Nelson, committee chair. “It was the only decision, and I guess the best decision we could make.”
The committee’s unanimous decision came two days after the Bessemer Area School District denied the committee use of school property for the festivities it had planned at the school and Massie Field. However, Nelson said the school did not play any part in the committee’s decision.
“I had been in contact with the school since a couple of weeks ago at their last meeting, so I kind of knew where they were leaning,” Nelson said.
According to Nelson, the committee was holding off on making this decision. She said they were “hoping and praying” that they would be able to move forward with the festival.
The Fourth of July Committee was not supposed to meet until next week, but the meeting was moved up so that a decision could be made and everybody involved could move forward, she said.
“None of us wanted to make this decision, but we knew we had to make this decision,” Nelson said. “We just don’t want to endanger anyone’s health. We don’t want to harm anybody. So we need to be safe.”
The press release issued by the Fourth of July Committee cites the expected continued social distancing regulations, and other restrictions as the reason for the cancellation of the festival.
“Very little, if any, of our social event can occur and satisfy these requirements,” the Fourth of July Committee said in a press release.
The committee acknowledged the huge impact the decision has on the businesses, organizations and people that “rely on Bessemer Blast to provide the social and economic boost our community needs,” and said the committee discussed options with many stakeholders, event chairs, local businesses and others involved in the festival.
“This is our heart and soul of Bessemer. We wanted so so much to see this move forward and it is heartbreaking to each and every one of us,” Nelson said.
“Those who already made financial donations will be contacted in the near future,” said the release. “2020 has been a rough year for us all, but we look forward to seeing you in Bessemer June 27-July 4, 2021.”
