COVID-19 has ruined another popular social event this summer.

The ninth annual Hootenanny in Summit Hill was scheduled on June 28. Because of the virus, the fun-filled festival which helps numerous nonprofit groups raise money has been canceled.

Sara Ruch, founder and chairman of the Hootenanny, said initially the committee hoped to postpone it until September.

Ruch said there were three factors which led to the cancellation.

One is the uncertainty of the virus.

The second is the state’s recommendations that gatherings be limited to no more than 250 people.

“It’s logistically impossible to limit it to that,” she said. “It’s free and it’s outdoors.”

The third reason is that “a generous portion of our revenue comes from local businesses.”

Ruch said that with so many businesses having financial difficulties from being closed because of the pandemic, it’s unreasonable to seek donations from them.

The Hootenanny has been held on the fourth Sunday of every June in Ludlow Park since 2012.

Ruch started the Hootenanny when she had a temporary position as program manager for the Lansford/Summit Hill Community Partnership.

During her two years serving in that capacity, she obtained a government grant for an art or music festival.

The first Hootenanny was so popular that it was decided to make it an annual event.

Ruch said at the 2018 Hootenanny, “It’s grown over the years. It’s really become a tradition for the town. You have people talking about it year-round.”

“It’s great everyone works together to make it happy.”

Ruch said although she’s disappointed this year’s festival can’t be held, she plans to have it return in 2021.