Holdrege Chamber Announces the Cancellation of Swedish Days Event

HOLDREGE – The Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce (HACC) in conjunction with the Swedish Days Planning committee, Central Plains Ribfest (CPR) Planning committee and Heartland Cruisers, have made the difficult decision to cancel Swedish Days 2020.

“Keeping our community and those that visit safe is our main priority.” Jessica Kraus, HACC Executive Director, “It was a hard decision to make, but one that all of us were in agreement.”

The Committees have been planning and working on the event for the past year, and have all agreed cancelling the event is in the best interest of the community. Each year, the Swedish Days festivities, including the parade, street fest, car show, silver run, CPR, and events at the museum and Senior Center attract thousands of people to Holdrege to partake in the weekend long event. With the current threat of COVID 19, large gatherings are not recommended per the Center for Disease Control (CDC). More guidelines can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/index.html

CPR brings in approximately 30 BBQ teams from across the country, Street Fest with vendors from all over the state, and the Heartland Cruisers Car Show attracting around 100 cars from neighboring counties and states. The CDC has also recommended traveling to be avoided with the exception of essential errands, medical care, or essential jobs that require travel. 

The committees, and organizations involved in Swedish Days have ultimately decided on cancelling the event versus postponing it. The decision was based off of the CDC’s Social Distancing Recommendations due to COVID 19. 

Swedish Days and Allmand Central Pains Ribfest 2021 is currently scheduled for June 18 & 19, 2021.