Heritage Days canceled, organizers blame city decisions

Heritage Days

Galesburg Heritage Days was one of the few summer events in Galesburg that looked to still be on for August.

But on Friday the organizers of one of the largest living history events in the country, complete with Civil War reenactments, said they couldn’t make it happen.

In their announcement posted to their website and social media pages they lay the blame at the feet of two decisions made by the City of Galesburg this week.

The first is the Parks and Rec department’s denial of Heritage Days’ request to use Lake Storey Park as they have for years.

The City cited their adherence to Illinois’ Stage 4 mandates against groups of over 50 people.

The second is the City Council’s decision on Monday to not fund any external agencies.

Alderman Larry Cox said he was open to the city funding events like Heritage Days, just not non-profit service agencies.

Nonetheless, Cox, Wayne Dennis and Lindsey Hillary defeated the whole slate of funding.

Heritage Days was recommended to receive $8,000, more than any group other than the National Stearman Fly-in. The Stearman Fly-in was canceled earlier this week as well but organizers didn’t say that was related to the city’s funding decision.

 

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