MONROE, Mich — The last notes have sounded for the River Raisin Jazz Festival, which won't return this summer, according to festival organizers.
"We have tried to make a go of it this year, but it was not able to come together in a timely fashion. And honestly, with 5 sponsors giving 10,000 a year for 17 years ($170,000 a piece) I can't blame them for letting last year with [co-founder] John Patterson's death being the last and fitting tribute. Whether it was said or unsaid, we all understood it might be," a Facebook message read Tuesday.
The popular jazz festival took place in Monroe's St. Mary's Park every summer and "made our little town a destination every second weekend in August."
The notice also said that the festival will not come back after a hiatus, as the weekend the jazz festival usually occurs is between two other festivals and they complement and promote each other.
"The Fine Art Fair and their organizers, a compliment to the festival, I believe will carry on. As will the Jazz series that starts on June 6, thanks to the participating restaurants."
"Thank you MB&T, LaZBoy Inc, DTE Energy, Floral City Beverage, Promedica, The Community of Monroe, The City of Monroe and all of the many sponsors too numerous to mention for your support. The brilliant artists who flew in to entertain our crowds. But MOST OF ALL ~ THE FANS. John helped make this city a Jazz destination. And made music his community and invited us all in. And we danced," co-organizer Brad Schreiber wrote.
