COVID-19 strikes again as Melon Festival is canceled

MILAN — COVID-19 forced one of the area's sweetest festival to cancel. For the first time since it started in 1958, the Milan Melon Festival won't take place this Labor Day weekend because of the virus. "After reviewing the state of Ohio's mandated rules and regulations, it is with a heavy heart that we, the Milan Melon Festival Committee, have decided the safest and most responsible course of action is to cancel our 2020 festival," the committee said in a social chatter post. The Melon Festival joins a growing list of events — including Ohio Bike Week, Woollybear Festival, Huron River Fest, Firelands Labor Day and Basket Festival — to cancel or postpone because of fears that large crowds could lead to the virus's spread. The committee said the event, which draws thousands to the village square each year, will return next year. People lamented the announcement online. "This is disappointing but understandable! Thank you for thinking about the people," Peggy Blevins Buchanan commented. "This is the first cancellation that is so sad to me! See you guys next year," Tiffany Salay wrote. Many people were curious about if they would still be able to purchase the festival's signature melon flavored ice cream and sherbet, which helped turn the event into one of Ohio's most popular festivals. "Can you arrange a sale of melon ice cream as a fundraiser by chance? I don't think I can wait a year for that," Steve Ernst posted. Luckily for Ernst and other fans of the melon-flavored cold treat, the committee will still sell the ice cream with details to follow in August. "Fear not! The coronavirus will not stop us from selling melon ice cream, melons, and T-shirts," the committee posted shortly after the announcement of the festival's cancelation.