HOWELL (WWJ) -- This weekend's Howell Melon Festival has cancelled an event featuring drag queens after backlash from community members.
Organizers of "Drag Queen Bingo" say the event, which was sold-out and set to take place at the Howell Historic Theater, will no longer be happening.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Bradley Haas, the co-director of Beauty Beyond Drag Productions, said "it is very unfortunate that this event has been overly politicized both by the far right and the far left."
“This whole situation grew into a monster that we were not expecting,” Has said in a video. “We were simply hired to do a show. This was not our intention. There was no agenda and we did not have any control. There was no politically motivated agenda attached to the show, since day one. Our commitment to the public is to have conducive open conversation and bring our art.”
“At the end of the day, due to the overwhelming lack of civil communication in Howell, we have no alternative for the safety of ourselves and our performers than to cancel drag queen bingo on Saturday,” Haas added.
In a statement on their Facebook page, Howell Parks and Recreation wrote, “While there are many reasons that led to this decision, ultimately it came down to a mutual understanding that the safety and wellbeing of our performers, attendees, volunteers and staff was a huge priority. Ticket holders will receive a full refund.”
Previously, a compromise had been reached with city officials and organizers allowing the event to proceed if the festival went alcohol-free.
Remaining events for the Howell Melon Fest include the Melon Run, which will take place on Friday, August 13, along with the Mom2Mom sale, and the art show at Howell Opera House on Saturday, August 14.
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