Brillion Fest, Electric Parade will not happen this year

Feb. 25, 2021

By David Nordby

The Brillion News

BRILLION – Brillion Fest, one of the most anticipated weekends of the year in the city and a decades-long tradition, will not happen in 2021.

The Brillion Optimist Club Electric Parade and the Brillion Area Jaycees Brillion Fest will not happen for the second year in a row.

COVID-19 put a damper on both in 2020, and that has carried over to 2021. Friday night has traditionally been for the Brillion Optimist Club’s Electric Parade since the nighttime parade concept came to Brillion in 1995. In its history, the parade was canceled twice the day of because of weather, and now last year and this year because of COVID-19 factors.

Both the Optimist Club and Jaycees made the decision late in 2020 but announced it over the weekend through social media, much to the chagrin of commenters who expressed disappointment.

Saturday’s Brillion Fest, formerly known as Welcome Neighbor Days, is the longer standing tradition. Last year would have been the 57th annual. The Jaycees will meet in March to discuss the group’s events for future years.

But the Brillion Optimist Club has already stated that it plans to bring back the Electric Parade in 2022.

Please see the complete story in the Feb. 25, 2021 print edition of The Brillion News.