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Times Editorial Board Published 9:00 a.m. CT June 20, 2021

Summer has arrived, and along with itthe return of community festivals, outdoor concerts, parades and county fairs.

After last year's closures and cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are eager to get out and celebrate.

So this year, with what appears to be the beginning of a return to normalcy, let's not take these community eventsfor granted.

Hours and hours of planning and preparation by dozensif not hundredsof volunteers are what make these events possible. Even on short notice, when we all were unsure of what 2021 would bring in the early part of the year, community groups were planning events with numerous scenarios in mind tobring them back after a summer of quarantine.

It's not easy to stage these events in any year. But reviving them after a hiatus complicates the commitment even further. It takes more work, more time, more money and more help to put these events on after a year of shutdown. If you can't volunteer to help, you can attend to make these revived events a success.

The Johnny Holm Band performs Wednesday, June 14, during the first Summertime by George! event of the season at Lake George in St. Cloud.(Photo: Dave Schwarz, dschwarz@stcloudtimes.com)

A St. Cloud summer staple, Summertime by Georgekicks off Wednesday. In recent years, the multi-week concert series has entertained more than 100,000 attendees throughout thesummer.

Then on Thursday, St. Cloud's Granite City Days begins with the Lemonade Art Fair at St. Cloud State University. More events, like the Liberty Block Party, a parade and a 5K run are scheduled through Sunday.

Sauk Rapids' Rapid River Days begins Thursday, too, with a pageant, parade and food festival.

More: What summer festivals, fairs and events near St. Cloud are happening soon?

"We're excited about hosting something that's open to the public where people can get together in person," Mayor Dave Kleis told the Times last week about the preparations for Granite City Days. "It should be a great kickoff to summer and a great way to celebrate community after a year and a half of an extremely challenging time."

After a more than a year of scaled-back and socially-distanced life, make it a point to get out this summer and get together again with your community.And don't forget to thank the organizers and countless volunteers that make it happen.

This is the opinion of the Times Editorial Board, which consists of News Director Lisa Schwarz and Content Coach Anna Haecherl.

Read or Share this story: https://www.sctimes.com/story/opinion/2021/06/20/st-cloud-summer-back-and-so-our-community-festivals-central-minnesota-show-support-after-covid-19/7693580002/

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Summer is back! And so are our community festivals. Show up and show your support - SC Times