Second Coventry Street Arts Fair Canceled

The second Coventry Street Arts Fair, scheduled for July 24, is now canceled.

Steve Presser, owner of and a member of the Coventry Village Special Improvement District, which organizes the event, sent an email out Saturday morning to notify vendors and others. 

"The organizers of the Coventry Street Fair have decided to only have one street fair this year but will immediately begin planning for the street fair in 2012," Presser said in the email. "We would like to be able to put on the best event possible for the neighborhood, visitors and the Coventry community and we will spend the next year thinking about the best way to do that."

The June 26 festival, which was scheduled from noon to 6 p.m., . But near the end, some estimated that hundreds or even thousands of kids gathered in the street, and to help disperse the crowd. Sixteen people were arrested. 

Presser said by email that the decision was made by several people. 

"The decision came from all parties that have a vested interest — the merchants, landlords, neighbors, city, etc. It was not one person. Everybody has an opinion on this one," he said. 

Presser had said the , and Mayor Ed Kelley said he couldn't support the fair if it wasn't safe for the community. 

"My first and major concern here is the safety of the people who come to the fair. If people can’t be kept safe, I’m not for the fair. That’s the bottom line," Kelley said a few days after the event.

People believe that kids were encouraged to go to the area via social media such as Twitter, and were not necessarily looking for a fight. But with so many people, things quickly escalated. 

Nearby communities are  and discussing how to curb these large gatherings, called "flash mobs," that have marred or threatened recent events in areas around Cleveland, including Shaker Heights, Shaker Square and . 

And just days after the Coventry Street Arts Fair, Cleveland Heights  for minors. 

Vendors who paid to have a booth in the second Coventry Street Arts Fair will be reimbursed, according to the email.

"The street fair in June featured great music, terrific vendors, interesting artists, tasty food choices and a fun activity area for children and families," Presser said the email. "Next year we would like to continue the long tradition of the Coventry Street Fair as a peaceful, safe, diverse and enjoyable summer festival."