Chicago’s African Festival of the Arts Canceled Due to Rising Costs

Photo Credit: Africa International House USA, Inc. A cornerstone South Side event that serves as the unofficial end to the Chicago Summer Festival season has been canceled, and rising costs are to blame.& The African Festival of the Arts, a Labor Day holiday weekend staple that features concerts, vendors, food, activities and vibes, won’t take place in Washington Park this weekend. Organizers have decided to move the time-honored festival to Labor Day weekend in 2025. Patrick Saingbey Woodtor, the founder of Africa International House USA, Inc., which organizes the event, announced the decision in a letter posted to the organization’s site.& He clarified that the festival’s high standards couldn’t be met without straining the community’s wallets. “This difficult decision was made due to the rising cost of production, coupled with our commitment to keeping admissions affordable for our community,” wrote Woodtor. When the Defender contacted the Africa International House for further comment, the organization responded via text, confirming the cancellation and plans to reintroduce the event next year.& & & The African Festival of the Arts has been a destination for families for over thirty years. Every Labor Day weekend at Washington Park, the festival reliably provided attendees with a...