MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Festa Italiana has been canceled for 2021. 

The Italian Community Center Board Directors made the announcement Friday, Feb. 26. 

According to a news release, planning and preparations were on track to proceed with this year’s festival, however, due to the circumstances associated with COVID-19, the directors deemed it the best course of action to cancel Festa Italiana this year.

“COVID-19 has impacted virtually every business and industry across the country. Around the world festivals, sporting events, conferences, and community celebrations have been cancelled, or postponed, due to lingering effects of this virus,” said Joe Emanuele, President of the Italian Community Center and Festa Director. “Unfortunately, Festa Italiana in Milwaukee is among the festivals that will have to wait until next year.”

“The health and safety of our employees, volunteers, vendors, members, and attendees is our highest priority. While we have confidence in the City and County of Milwaukee’s vaccine distribution plan, we thought it would be prudent to give our health officials a little more time to reach our broader community.”

Emanuele underscored the importance of the festival to the community. “The social impact of holding Festa Italiana is near and dear to our hearts and brings a stronger resilience to the Italian Community Center and the City of Milwaukee.

The Italian Community Center would like to thank the many volunteers and attendees who make it possible to hold such a prestigious festival every year. Festa Italiana will return to its glory BIGGER and BETTER than ever in 2022.”