Madison Ribberfest and Chautauqua Festival of Art to Cancel

Decision came after rise in COVID-19 case counts statewide.

Madison Ribberfest BBQ & BluesFestival, known as one of Indiana’s ‘Best Music Festivals’and Madison’s annual celebration of BBQcompetitions and blues music is now added to the list of festivals canceled due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). This decision was not made lightly. Event Coordinator Katie Burresssaid, “Our committee has remained very hopeful throughout the last few months that we would be able to have our event this year, albeit a bit differently than usual. Now that we are almost to August, and seeing that our local, statewide, and national positive COVID-19 cases are on the rise, we believe that it is in the best interest of our volunteers, patrons, and our entire community to cancel our event this year.”Visit Madison, Inc. Boardof TourismPresident Cara Fox adds, “It is unfortunatethat we are having to make exceptionally difficult decisions this year. Wehave all been faced with impossible decisions throughout the last few months, and sadly, canceling Ribberfest this year is the best choice for us at this time.”Festivalgoers that purchased2020 Wristbands can expect to receive a refund. Please see our websiteorsocial media for more information. TheRibberfest committee still plans to move forward with ‘Pigmania,’the concrete pig decorating contest that supports the annual Madison Ribberfest Scholarship program. Pigs can beseen around town in front of the participating businesses. A list of businesses and directions for voting on the‘People’s Choice’ Pigwill be shared soon. Committee members will be reaching out tovendors, artists, BBQcompetitors, and other stakeholders in the coming days as we look toward 2021.

The Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art (MCFA) will be canceled for 2020. “With the current COVID-19 pandemic and the statewide restrictions associated with it,we cannot feasibly have the festival this year” says Chautauqua Committee PresidentKara Hinze. “The health and safety of festival goers, artists, vendors and volunteers is our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 festival for this September.Our committee members will be contacting artists, concessionaires, sponsors and others in the coming days to discuss next steps. We now set our sights on to looking forward to the 2021 festival.”The MCFAwas to host its 50thfestival this year. “An anniversary as significant asthis cannot be overlooked” says Joe DeVito, Entertainment Coordinator. “When we host the festival in 2021,it will still be the 50thone, so we will be sure to celebrate this achievement then”.The MCFA committee is dedicated to maintaining and growing this Madison tradition and is eager to plan the 2021 festival. Planning and preparation will continue throughout the year to celebrate art and community for the 50thtime in 2021