Grand Meadow Lions withdraw support for Meadowfest 2020

By Greg Lamp

Grand Meadow Lions

Although most people in Grand Meadow know me, for those that don’t, my name is Greg Lamp. I’ve lived in the Grand Meadow area my entire life, I’ve been active with the GM Lions for 16 years and I’ve been the Coordinator of Meadowfest for the past 12 years. For the past six weeks I’ve been monitoring multiple health institution websites looking for a glimmer of hope that Meadowfest 2020 could safely proceed on its June 26-28 schedule. After considering all the facts in front of me, I made up my mind what had to be done. I shared my thoughts with the GM Lions and an overwhelming majority agreed with my proposed resolution. On May 11, at the Grand Meadow City Council meeting, I made an announcement that was heart wrenching, but unquestionably had to be done.

Speaking for the GM Lions, I advised the Council that due to the COVID-19 situation, the GM Lions will cease to plan, finance, coordinate or promote Meadowfest 2020 on its traditional schedule. The GM Lions felt it would be irresponsible to continue Meadowfest planning efforts and that proceeding with Meadowfest would be disrespectful to other area communities that have cancelled their own festivals in an effort to protect the health of their citizens.

As for the GM Lions, this means there will be no Meadowfest 2020 Grand Parade, BBQ meal, bingo, pedal pull, money sand pile, or kids’ games.

I’ve contacted all Meadowfest event chairs this week announcing the Lions’ new position on Meadowfest 2020.  I quickly heard back from many event chairs that their organizations would also cease planning for this year’s festival. While the Lions would prefer that all event chairs cancel their events, that decision will be left up to the individual organizations. They will be proceeding on their own if they choose to do so.

I fully expect the community to have mixed feelings for the GM Lions’ Meadowfest decisions. It’s only natural to feel some degree of disappointment in yet another event stolen from families over COVID, but we feel our actions are in the best interest of public health.