Summer in the Valley usually means large crowds attending many of the popular summer events, from local church festivals to outdoor concerts to county fairs, with the aroma of peppers, onions, and sausage cooking, the sound of laugher, and music in the air. But this is 2020. The year unlike any other.

The novel coronavirus has decimated our traditional summer plans. However, it has a larger impact on the communities and the churches that financially benefit from the events. 

But one by one, the events are being canceled. And while smaller venues such as community parks concerts are something people simply enjoy, it's the local churches, communities, and counties that are losing out on millions of dollars cumulatively brought in through admissions, events, rides, and food concessions at these events.

While some summer events are postponed, others are canceled.

Here is a listing of summer events and where they stand as of now:

June 20 (Originally scheduled for June 19-21): Simply Slavic Festival, 6 p.m to 7:30 p.m., the festival created to celebrate Youngstown’s Slavic community, will take place virtually on Facebook and YouTube, https://www.facebook.com/simplyslavic  or https://www.youtube.com/user/SimplySlavic. Local food and beverage vendors will provide special Slavic dishes, including Babcia’s Lunchbox and Krakus Polish Deli & Bakery, with items that can be picked up from the business locations, with call-ahead ordering. Check Simply Slavic Festival Facebook for updates on the list of participants. Modern Methods Brewing Company of Warren will offer a Rodina Czech Amber Lager for the festival. Youngstown’s Penguin City Brewing Co. will be offering its ale for delivery. Visit simplyslavic.org or call 330-503-9874. 

June 20-21: Strawberry Festival, White House Fruit Farm, 9249 Youngstown-Salem Road, Canfield. CANCELED. https://www.whitehousefruitfarm.com/events

June 20: Juneteenth, line dancing, music from the Roundup Band and DJs from Loud 102.3 FM. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Amphitheatre, 201 South Phelps St., Youngstown

June 24: Steve Miller Band, The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, 201 S. Phelps St., Youngstown, CANCELED.

JUNE 25-27: Ribs-N-Rock Festival, Southern Park Mall parking lot, 7401 Market St., Boardman. CANCELED.

June 27: Food Festival Truck, Eastwood Field, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

June 27: Juneteenth, Quinby Park, Warren-  10 a.m. to 9 p.m., featuring local talent, speakers, music.

July 4: Harry Stevens Hot Dog Day and Parade, Niles, CANCELED. information at https://www.facebook.com/HarryStevensHotDogDay/?ref=page_internal or call 330-720-1297.
 

July 4 - Guilford Lake’s Annual July 4th Boat Parade, 2 p.m.

July 4 - Fireworks Canfield Fairgrounds - 8 p.m.

July 4 - Grove City Fireworks - 9:30 p.m., attendees of the show are asked to park in the parking lot of the schools or college to enjoy the show safely from your car or with safe social distancing.

July 4 - Independence Day Parade, Poland. - CANCELED

July 4 - Freedom 4 Miler, Canfield Fair Grounds. Due to regulations, this event will happen in multiple heats, starting at 6 a.m. and the last heat at 10:30 a.m. To register, go online to www.secondsoleracing.com

July 4 - Trumbull Co. Fairgrounds, 899 Everett Hull Road, Cortland. Food concession trucks, enter through Gate A. Starts at noon, parade of 25 senior members of junior fair at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m.

July 6-7: Youngstown Comic Con, Covelli Centre, 229 E. Front St., Youngstown. CANCELED. https://www.youngstowncomiccon.com/

July 6-12: Trumbull County Fair, 899 Everett Hull Road, Cortland. CANCELED. Go to trumbullcountyfair.com.

July 8: Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, 201 S. Phelps St., Youngstown, CANCELED.

July 9-12: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Summerfest, 220 N. Walnut St., Youngstown, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Greek food, music, dancing, and memorabilia. Free. No updates on the current status of this event.

July 11, Aug 15, Sept 12 & Oct 3 - Youngstown Flea, 110 Freeman Alley, Youngstown. Visit YoungstownFlea.com for more info. 

July 11: The Summer Festival of the Arts, an arts and entertainment festival on the campus of Youngstown State University. CANCELED. 
For more information, go to ysu.edu/sfa.
 
July 11: ASAP Summer Track Meet, a track and field day for children and youth ages 4-18. CANCELED. For additional information, contact Laura Domitrovich at 330-675-2765, ext. 111, or by email at LDomitrovich@TrumbullMHRB.org, https://www.facebook.com/events/warren-g-harding-high-school/2020-asap-summer-track-meet/175502487199798/
 

July 12: Holy Apostle Parish Festival (Sts. Peter and Paul and St. Stephen of Hungary) Parish Picnic, July 12 date has been canceled, however, the festival may be rescheduled for August or later. For updated information, call 330-743-1905.

July 16-18: Ox Roast Fair, St. Joseph Blvd., Mantua, CANCELED.https://stjosephmantua.com/ox-roast-fair

July 18: Michael Stanley and the Resonators with Donnie Iris and Cruisers, The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, 201 S. Phelps St., Youngstown, CANCELED.

July 18-19: Blues Berry Bash, White House Fruit Farm, 9249 Youngstown-Salem Road, Canfield, 330-533-4161. CANCELED. Check for updates on events, https://www.whitehousefruitfarm.com/events

July 22-25: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Festival, 343 Via Mt Carmel Ave, Youngstown, OH 44505, CANCELED, according to Scott Schulick, festival chairman/committee chair. 

JULY 25: WaterFire, downtown Sharon, Pa., Family-oriented cultural and entertainment festival. CANCELED. https://www.waterfiresharonpa.org/

July 31-Aug. 1: Hot Rod Supernationals, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Southern Park Mall. For more information, go to http://www.hotrodsupernats.com/ or call (330) 883-2644 for updated information.

 

Late July: St Demetrios Greek Festival,  St Demetrios Community Center, 3223 Atlantic St., Warren. CANCELED. https://www.facebook.com/warrengreekfest/

July 31-Aug.2: Greater Youngstown Italian Fest, downtown Youngstown, CANCELED. For information, visit www.youngstownitalianfest.org or call 330-942-4510.

Aug. 1: Dog Days of Summer, White House Fruit Farm, 9249 Youngstown-Salem Road, Canfield, 330-533-4161. Bring your canine companion for an afternoon of play. Pup Parade, costume, contests. Registration required, $15/per pup. 1 p.m to 3 p.m. TO BE DETERMINED, check for updates on events, https://www.whitehousefruitfarm.com/events

Aug. 3-9: Columbiana County Fair, 225 Lee Ave., CANCELED.

Aug. 6-9: St. Patrick Parish Festival, 357 Main St., Hubbard, Grand prize raffle includes choice of 2020 Chevrolet Equinox or $20,000 cash. To purchase tickets or check for updates, go to https://www.stpatshub.org/festival/ or call (330) 534-1928.

Aug. 6-8 (Rescheduled from June 18-20): The Country Fest, Clays Park Resort, 13190 Patterson Road NW, North Lawrence. This music festival includes headliners Brett Eldredge, Eric Church, and Dierks Bentley. Call 330-930-0398 or thecountryfest.com. Three days of country music with 3-day attendance usually exceeds 20,000. The three-day package range from $135 to $229 per person, parking is $10 per car. Updated information available at https://www.thecountryfest.com/.
 
Aug. 8-9, 15-16, 22-23: Shaker Woods Festival, Shaker Woods Grounds, 44337 County Line Road, Columbiana, 330-482-0214. Features more than 200 craftspeople in period costume, and doing demonstrations. Message on website stats " We will make an informed decision about whether or not to hold the festival as scheduled, based on what is in the best interest of public health in the coming weeks." Watch to shakerwoods.com for updates. 
 
Aug. 9, 10, 11 (Rescheduled from June 21-24): St. Jude/Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Festival, 180 Seventh St., Columbiana, changed to a food-only festival, available by car only. Attendees will drive up and place their food order, the order will be brought to your vehicle; ololstj.org
 
Aug. 9: Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Slovak Festival, 915 Cornell St., Youngstown, Slovak Fest,  noon to 4 p.m. Watch for more information online at www.ourlady915.org.
 

Mid-Aug.: Warren Italian Fest, Courthouse Square, Warren, CANCELED. Go to warrenitalianfestival.com.

Aug 15 -Dr. Susan K. Leone Memorial Golf Scramble for Scleroderma at Mill Creek Golf Course CANCELED
 

Aug. 15-16: Brookfield United Methodist Church Summer Fest, On the Green in Brookfield, state Route 7. Parade, games, food/craft vendors, car cruise and pet parade, crafts for children. This event MAY be postponed. Check for updates. on https://www.mybrookfieldchurch.com/copy-of-summer-fest-2017

Mid-Aug: Brier Hill Festival, An old-fashioned Italian street festival on Calvin Street in the Brier Hill neighborhood on Youngstown’s North Side, with live music, morra and bocce tournaments, and Italian food. Watch for updated information.

Mid-Aug: Latino Heritage Festival, Roosevelt Park, Campbell. Music, food and products that represent several Latino communities. CANCELED.

Aug. 26: The Beach Boys, The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, 201 S. Phelps St., Youngstown, tickets prices range from $34 to $100 plus applicable fees. https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/05005837A40657C0. Watch for updates at https://theyoungstownfoundationamp.com/events/.

Aug. 30: Polish-American Heritage Day, 3055 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown. CANCELED. Sponsored by Polish Youngstown. www.polishyoungstown.org.

Sept. 2-7: Canfield Fair, Canfield Fairgrounds, 7265 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield. This festival includes agricultural displays, farm animals, rides, food, demolition derby, horse racing and entertainment. For updated information, visit canfieldfair.com.

Sept. 10-12: Columbiana Street Fair, 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. Rides, food, games, in downtown Columbiana; Website has not been updated with 2020 information, columbianastreetfair.com.

Sept. 19: WaterFire, downtown Sharon, Pa., Family-oriented cultural and entertainment festival. Artisans, live music, food vendors, brazier lighting ceremony on the Shenango River at dusk. Watch for updates at https://www.waterfiresharonpa.org/

 Youngstown City Interim Director of Finance Kyle Miasek says the cancellation of events will not directly affect the city, as the city waives fees for most events such as festivals and music fests. And while it's difficult to estimate the impact of losing this revenue, as the city does not track money brought in individually by these by of events.

However, Miasek said the city will be impacted financially from the loss of these events through the loss of income tax from the owner of venues at the events and from the downtown businesses as well. 

When people attend these summer events, they spend money, they go to downtown restaurants, they pay to park, they go to bars — all which brings in tax money to the city. 

One aspect of the cancellations that will be trackable Miasek said is the 5.5-percent fee from shows at the Covelli Centre and at The Youngstown Foundation amphitheatre. The lack of shows at both venues will make it pay the debt note on each facility, and that the city may have to look for subsidies from other funds to make the payments.

Miasek added that while he believes the arts and entertainment venues around the Valley will most likely recover, there may be no profit from the 2020 season, depending on how quickly the opportunity to resume takes.

Linda Macala, Executive Director with Mahoning County Convention & Visitors Bureau says that the COVID-19 virus has hit the travel and tourism industry especially hard, and the cancellation of events and festivals that would normally draw crowds to our area will definitely have a negative economic impact. But, the health and safety of everyone are of primary importance.

Macala said the impact these events can be seen by using of one single event as an example, like Y Live. With a major artist like Luke Bryan headlining, ticket sales would have brought more than 20,000 people to that single concert. This impacts all the sales that go along with these major events, such as parking, food, beverage and merchandise sales.

The Columbiana Fair was looking forward to celebrating its 175th year. But that will not be happening, as the fair board announced June 3 that this year's celebration was canceled.
 
The County Fair Board is expected to make a final decision in the next week or so.
 
Trumbull County fair officials have already canceled this year's fair but they tell 21 News they are looking to revisit the issue with efforts to at least offer something to help the 4H kids.