At its June meeting, the Midwest Bonsai Society Board agreed with a heavy heart to cancel the 2020 Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition, originally scheduled for August 14-16, 2020. The cancellation joins the previous decision to cancel the May Exhibit.
A number of factors led to the Board’s decision:
Uncertainty of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s ability and support for the show, though as of this writing the Garden has begun to slowly open
Indeterminate crowd sizing and social distancing requirements that may be impossible to manage by our volunteers
Inability of our guest master (Walter Pall) to travel internationally to judge the show
Many of our invited Vendors informing us they were not planning to attend
Most of all, the Board members shared concern for the health of our members, volunteers, vendors, and visitors to the Exhibition.
While the 2020 bonsai season has been hampered by the Coronavirus, the Midwest Bonsai Society Board continues to explore online programming solutions, and is hoping to have a smaller, membership-only show in the Fall, if health guidelines and Chicago Botanic Garden rules, allow. Stay tuned for more information.