DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – Decatur Celebration Inc. has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers said.

Leaders reflected on the organization’s history, which spanned more than 30 years, and the impact of pandemic shutdowns in a letter to the Decatur community. They explained how staff were preparing in March 2020 for a big 35th year Decatur Celebration festival, which they said would be “our best production yet”, when the pandemic struck.

They monitored the situation and the Decatur 2020 celebration was ultimately called off.

“This decision was difficult, but we were confident and even more confident now that it was the right decision for everyone’s health and safety,” said the organization. As we shared with you in April 2020 and November 2020, the financial ripple effect of COVID-19 could be detrimental. We knew that many organizations – nonprofit and for-profit – would be in trouble. for months and Decatur, Celebration Inc. has continued to do so. ”

Executives said they had been transparent about financial difficulties during the pandemic and efforts to minimize overhead costs. They said they met with local entities in the hope of creating a “mutually beneficial partnership” to make the organization work.

These efforts were unsuccessful.

“It is therefore with a heavy heart that we announce that Decatur Celebration Inc. has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and thus produced its latest street festival, French Fried 5K and Scream Haunted House,” the letter reads.

The full letter from the organization is attached to this story.