The COVID-19 pandemic claimed another annual celebration this year when the Negaunee Irontown Association announced the cancelation of Pioneer Days, a staple of the Negaunee community since 1979.

The week-long celebration in July usually includes class reunions, family reunions, a softball tourney, a pie social, a parade and fireworks among its many activities.

According to the Negaunee Irontown Association Facebook page, the organization has canceled the event “based on limitations in accordance with the governor’s orders as well as the City of Negaunee’s orders.”

Most were anticipating the cancelation but it still was upsetting to many people who enjoy the camaraderie and fun that go along with Pioneer Days.

Of course, many other events have already been canceled for the summer, including Art on the Rocks, Marquette’s Fourth of July celebration, Blues Fest, Harbor Fest and tons of others.

Organizers of the Ishpeming Independence Day celebration are expected to announce their decision on that slate of events in the coming days.

It is upsetting to have much-liked events disappear for this summer, but the spread of coronavirus could do irreparable damage to anyone who is exposed and develops COVID-19. Too many lives have already been lost.

We hope the disappointment of a pretty quiet summer fades away and the cautionary cancelations help defeat this pandemic so in 2021, we can all celebrate the events we’ve come to enjoy so much with good health and all the people we love joining us.