No bratwurst, Biergarten or bands.

Pulling up the Seymour Oktoberfest website early this morning, the message was clear: The 48th annual Seymour Oktoberfest is canceled.

Seymour’s biggest event and Jackson County’s second largest event was scheduled for Oct. 1 through 3 in the downtown.

According to a letter by the board of directors posted on the website and the festival’s Facebook page, the announcement was made with a heavy heart.

“While Indiana’s Back on Track plan allows for fairs and festivals to be held on or after July 4, there is still uncertainty regarding potential restrictions through the remainder of this year,” the board said. “As with other fairs and festivals in Indiana, we have had to address this uncertainty while keeping the health and safety of the public a top priority.”

Some of the board’s major concerns included uncertainty surrounding Indiana’s Back on Track plan timeline; challenges regarding restrictions and best practices for social distancing; personal protective equipment use, contact tracing, etc.; logistical concerns for increased sanitation efforts; and disruption in the food supply chain.

“We do not take this decision lightly,” the board said. “This decision will impact our community and the local businesses and organizations that participate in the Seymour Oktoberfest. Our beloved festival would not be the same without their support and the public’s patronage, and this fact made our decision even more difficult.”

Find the full story in Saturday’s Tribune and online at tribtown.com.