ST PAUL, Minn. — Grand Old Day is taking a hiatus for 2019.
The announcement came via Facebook on Tuesday. Grand Avenue Business Association interim president Allison Penner-Hurst says that the size of the event and the cost to produce it have both gone up, and the dollars were not coming in for them to produce it successfully this year.
She also said the competition for volunteers, with other big events around the area, is increasing.
"We as a board decided we needed to take a fresher look at the event and step back," Penner-Hurst told KARE 11.
The St. Paul staple event has been going on for 45 years. The one-day festival brings food, music and vendors to a one-and-a-half-mile stretch of Grand Avenue between Dale and Fairview.
Penner-Hurst said they are going to be rebuilding their brand, working more closely with area nonprofits and Grand Avenue businesses, and building the event "stronger and better" in 2020.
"It’s going to be an event that we’re all excited to put on," she said.
The Facebook announcement stated, "It was a difficult and unanimous decision but one that the board of directors made to keep the event fresh for 2020."
Penner-Hurst said they want to listen to the needs of the businesses on Grand and bring the event "back to the avenue."