The coronavirus pandemic has canceled another venerated Butler County event.

The Saxonburg Fireman's Carnival, which has provided hometown summer fun in the county for 87 years, has been canceled by its organizers.

Chuck Lewis, chairman of the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company's board of directors, said the carnival was to be July 14 to 18 on the fire hall grounds at Pittsburgh Street and Horne Avenue.

“Given the current COVID issues and social distancing guidelines that we see on the horizon, it's not going to be feasible,” Lewis said.

While the pet parade, fireman's parade, water battle and other activities that go along with the carnival are canceled, Lewis said he is still hoping to hold Community Day from 5 to 8 p.m. July 13 on Main Street.

Residents can come check out the fire company's trucks and other equipment, learn about fire safety, and eat at one of the vendors booths or a restaurant sidewalk stand.

Lewis said several hundred people usually come to the Community Day held before the first day of the carnival, and he is confident social distancing and other pandemic protocols can be followed.

“We think we can probably maintain that one event a little better,” Lewis said.

The carnival's raffle also will be held, but instead of a motorcycle, car or Jeep, the top prize this year will likely be cash. Raffle tickets are available from any firefighter or by calling the fire department at 724-352-3000.

Still, Lewis is disappointed that the carnival must be canceled for the first time since its inception in 1932.

“We're sad to break a tradition that has lasted this long, but for now we need to be prudent about how we move forward,” he said.

The carnival is also a large fundraiser for the fire department. Lewis said the department brings in $20,000 to $60,000 each year, depending on attendance at the carnival. That money pays half of the fire hall's utilities and some is deposited in the department's operating budget.

He said other fundraisers that are pandemic-friendly are being planned, including new raffles.

The company that provides the carnival's rides, C&L Shows, has been notified that its services will not be needed this year.

“They've had a lot of cancellations,” Lewis said. “They are disappointed, but they understand it.”

The food, game and other vendors that were lined up for the carnival are being sent a letter Monday to inform them that the carnival is canceled and their deposits will be refunded, Lewis said.

June Arner of Middlesex Township, who owns Arner's French Fries and Funnel Cakes with her husband, Ron, has been a vendor at the Saxonburg Carnival for decades.

“This would have been our 45th year,” she said. “We like the hometown atmosphere there and we look forward to seeing our customers every year and their families.”

She said the couple, aided by their son and daughter, work six or seven fairs each year and travel to events every weekend from June to September.

All of the Arners' events in May and June have been canceled. “We're waiting to see what happens with July and August,” she said. “We're hoping we can get on the road then.”

The pandemic will not torpedo the concession stand business, Arner said.

“We'll tough it out, one way or another,” she said. “It will be strange to have a summer off. We've never faced that.”

Arner said the coronavirus pandemic's effect on communities and businesses is hard to grasp.

“We've faced weather issues, but never anything like this,” she said.

Lewis said the bingo held at the fire hall on the first Monday of each month is also canceled until further notice.

Fire department officials hope to hold the 18th annual Sportsman's Fest on Sept. 19, as that event raises funds for fire trucks and apparatus.

“We don't know if maybe we'll have to do it virtually,” Lewis said. “We'll just have to wait and see.”

For more information or to donate to the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, visit www.svfc.com.