Fitchburg Days canceled indefinitely

Keely Arthur by Keely Arthur

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A long-running local festival is no more. The organizer of Fitchburg Days confirmed to News 3 Now that he has canceled it indefinitely.

The event was denied both sound and alcohol permits from the city of Fitchburg. Without those key components, organizer Jay Allen said, putting on the event isn’t possible.

Last year, Fitchburg Days was cut short following arrests and disturbances involving teenagers. Mayor Aaron Richardson said those issues and issues involving vendors and their relationship with Allen had a lot to do with the decision to remove city support.

“We’ve tried to work with the organizer to make some changes and he’s been willing to do those changes but there still ended up being some issues. Last year, there were some problems with breaking into cars,” Richardson said.

Fitchburg Days has been around in some capacity for decades. Today the event’s organizer cancelled it indefinitely after the city denied alcohol and sound permits. @fitchburgbiz says there are other events to fill the gap like Festa Italia & Concerts at McKee to name a few. — Keely Arthur (@news3keely) April 24, 2019

Fitchburg Days was not hosted by the city. Fitchburg officials said there are a number of other events coming up, including Festa Italia, Concerts at McKee and the Fitchburg Festival of Speed, to name a few.

“I think people are really looking for something more than a carnival,” Kate Wicker, of the city’s Chamber Visitor and Business Bureau, said. “These events are all very family-friendly, with live music, high-end delicious food cart food and, of course, beer and wine.”

Allen said the community is losing its largest event.

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