COVID-19 has led to the cancellation of Sundown Salute, the Fourth of July celebration in Junction City. The event normally spreads out over multiple days and includes concerts, a carnival, activities in Heritage Park, food and craft vendors, the Freedom Run and a car show.
Michelle Stimatze, Geary County Convention and Visitor's Bureau Director, announced the cancellation. "After consideration the Sundown Salute Committee decided to cancel the 2020 Sundown Salute celebration." She discussed the reasons for the decision. "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the risks were just too great. We're really concerned about the safety of our community."
Stimatze said planners were uncertain about the timing for the future of the event, in terms of when it would take place. There was concern about limits on gatherings that might be in place, and about sponsorship money. "Our sponsors are very important to us, the area businesses are very important to us and we just didn't feel it was a good thing to continue on with it.
Organizers are still holding out hope that the annual parade on the Fourth of July can be held, but it will depend on the COVID-19 restrictions and conditions that might be in place at that time.
According to Stimatze all the bands that were booked for this year are due to return for the celebration in 2021, which will be held July 1-4 that year. Ottaway Amusements has also agreed to return the carnival in 2021. Stimatze noted that maybe another band could possibly be added for next year.
The Sundown Salute celebration typically attracts thousands of people from the region.