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STEUBENVILLE -- While Gov. Mike DeWine has eased restrictions that kept Ohioans at home for the last five weeks, it's not going to happen fast enough for spring concerts and festivals.
Historic Fort Steuben Executive Director Paul Zuros said the Fort Festival, usually held the first weekend in June, will have to be rescheduled.
"We haven't settled on a date yet," he said. "(We're looking at) the end of August, but we don't have a date for sure yet."
The Quilt Show has already been canceled and the Summer Concert Series at Berkman Amphitheater will miss its Memorial Day kickoff, and Zuros said he's not sure when they'll be able to start.
"We're hoping to have some sort of season, a smaller season with a few less concerts, but we really need to just wait and see what the directives are for people getting together -- that's the most concerning part of it. We want to make sure everyone is safe and do the right thing by keeping up with the social distancing," he said. "We're sort of in a hold position, waiting to see what happens."
Zuros said this time of year activities traditionally ramp up at the Visitors' Center, particularly with end-of-year tours by school groups. That's not happening this year.
"(These are all) disrupting things, but we're hoping for the best at this point," he said. "The most important thing is everyone staying safe. (But) summer is definitely looking different than it has in the past, but it's what's needed to keep our volunteers, our staff and visitors safe.
"Hopefully next year everything will be back to normal. I know people are anxious to get out again, everybody's been stuck at home. We're looking forward to things opening up, but we have to do it slowly, do it responsibly," he added.
Zuros said they're waiting on guidance from the state as to when the fort itself can reopen.
The Dean Martin Hometown Celebration, traditionally a June weekend event, also is on hold. Some thought is being given to organizing a smaller scale version of the community favorite later in the year, but no decision has been made.