The coronavirus has struck another popular Northeast Michigan event — The Alpena News’ Business Expo and Newspapers in Education Book Sale.

“The expo has been delayed, not abandoned,” said Alpena News Publisher Bill Speer.

The first Saturday in February — this year, the 6th — would have been the 21st Business Expo sponsored by the newspaper. However, because of crowd size restrictions in the state right now and concern about bringing large crowds of people together in confined spaces, the staff at the newspaper made the decision to postpone the event until later, when it can be held safely again.

“Naturally the staff is disappointed,” Speer said. “Community residents really look forward to the Expo each year to get out of the house, visit with old friends, find good books to read at bargain prices ,and interact with a variety of vendors.”

As vaccines roll out across Northeast Michigan and depending on state restrictions on crowd size and how those restrictions might change in the months ahead, holding the expo later this year will be considered and evaluated, Speer said.

The postponement of Business Expo is the fourth event The Alpena News staff has been forced to delay since COVID-19 struck the region. Last May, newspaper staffers were forced to cancel The Alpena News’ Honor Roll Track Invitational, in July the Sand Castle contest was canceled, and then, in September, Senior Expo was canceled.

“All of us look forward to the day when the virus is behind us and we can return to normal routines and gatherings again,” Speer said.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)