The ongoing work to widen Interstate 70 might not leave room for Cambridge City’s annual Canal Days festival to happen in its usual location this year.
During the June 8 town council meeting, leaders noted that Indiana Department of Transportation representatives recently raised safety concerns about typical plans to close two of the four lanes for vendors during the Sept. 12-13 festival. Closing the road to traffic during the parade also was problematic.
Oversize loads no longer can travel on I-70 while it’s under construction, sending thousands of transport vehicles that often require more than one lane onto U.S. 40. If a crash closed I-70, even more vehicles would be diverted to the National Road.
Representatives of Western Wayne Alliance, the newly combined Cambridge City Main Street and Cambridge City Area Chamber of Commerce organizations, agreed that INDOT’s options would be nearly impossible to follow. They are instead looking to have the Sept. 12-13 festival in Creitz Park, a couple blocks north of U.S. 40.
Fire Chief Jeff Gabbard said vendors’ electricity needs can be more easily accommodated on the park’s flat ground behind the fire station, 127 W. Maple St., rather than deeper inside the park.
It’s uncertain whether the festival’s parade will take place at all this year.
While acknowledging the blow to the community, town leaders say traditional reunions and a concert are continuing, and they hope residents and visitors will remain positive and continue to visit their favorite places throughout the weekend.
July, August events
Plans are also in transition for two additional Cambridge City events on the second Saturdays in July and August.
During the council meeting, business owner Tonya Elder asked questions about securing locations for vendors for the July 11 artisan fair and Aug. 8 Junk in the Trunk events. Elder, who has organized the events for six years, said farmers market’s space needs have been growing at the corner of Foote Street and U.S. 40.
Council members said those decisions should be made within Western Wayne Alliance since WWA had requested road closures for the farmers’ market season and provides insurance coverage for the artisan fair and Junk in the Trunk.
On Thursday, Cambridge City Main Street’s president, Troy Lewis, told WWN that he was surprised to learn Elder notified vendors shortly after that the July 11 and Aug. 8 events had been canceled.
Lewis said WWA is working to bring them back with a new name on the previously announced dates. WWA is planning a Thursday, June 18, meeting to coordinate plans.
Any changes to those events will not affect the summer Creitz Park Pavilion concert series.
For more information, email ccitymainstreet@gmail.com or call 812-327-7391.
A version of this article will appear in the June 17 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
