CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Another annual tradition has been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, the Orchid Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's show won't take place at all.
The Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe to cancel its 2021 Orchid Show, in accordance with ongoing state mitigations to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The cancellation applies to all related programs, including Orchids After Hours and the Orchid Marketplace.
"The health and safety of our community of visitors, staff, and volunteers—as well as our community at large—remains our top priority. We continue to follow state guidelines in response to the COVID-19 health crisis and plan to follow any additional guidance issued for our region," the garden said in a statement.
The Orchid Show, which typically features approximately 10,000 orchids, was scheduled to open in February in the garden's public Greenhouses, which remain closed in accordance with state regulations.
The Orchid Show started in 2014. It attracted 44,000 people in 2019.
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Last year, the Orchid Show drew more than 36,000 people, despite the fact that the last nine days of the show were cancelled due to the onset of the pandemic.
Additionally, the Chicago Botanic Garden has canceled Super Seed Weekend and the Science Festival, because they are indoor events.
At this time, the Chicago Botanic Garden plans to keep the grounds, Garden Shop, and Visitor’s Center open on a daily basis during the winter months. However, the Greenhouses will continue to be closed to visitors due to the narrow pathways, and inability to easily allow for social distancing.