2020 Pride In The Park canceled due to coronavirus outbreak

Organizers for Pride In The Park announced Thursday afternoon they were canceling the event, originally scheduled for June 27-28, due to concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

"This decision was not easy but after much consideration, we have decided to postpone Pride in the Park until June 26th and 27th 2021," organizer Dusty Carpenter posted on Facebook.

Earlier this month, Carpenter told GoPride.com the event would be expanded to two days, with two performance stages and new partnerships.

The inaugural Pride In The Park, held last June in Grant Park in downtown Chicago, drew about 5,500 attendees.

Carpenter expected attendance at the 2020 event to be 15,000 with a list of entertainers to be announced at the end of March.

Tickets went on sale at the first of the month. According to organizers, all ticket purchasers will be contacted regarding next steps for a full refund on early bird tickets.

"Remember Pride is more than a day, a weekend, or a month but how we live our lives everyday as our truest selves and showing love for all humanity," wrote Carpenter. 

Pride In The Park is one just one of a growing number of pride festivities to postpone or cancel as the coronavirus pandemic continues to infect more and more people.

Milwaukee PrideFest announced last week they were postponing the annual event, originally scheduled for June 4 - 7, due to coronavirus. This was the first time PrideFest has been postponed in its 32-year history.

LA Pride organizers announced early this month that all events related to its 50th anniversary set to take place in June were postponed due to the health concerns. Miami Beach Pride organizers have also postponed most of their planned events.

Additionally, organizers of International Mr. Leather (IML) announced that its annual gathering over Memorial Day weekend was postponed. 

Chicago's Pride celebrations remain scheduled for the end of June. Organizers of the annual Pride Fest and Parade told GoPride.com they will continue to monitor coronavirus developments.

As of Wednesday, Illinois health officials confirmed 1,865 positive cases of coronavirus, and 19 deaths in the state.

Related: Chicago LGBTQ COVID-19 Resources