A Southern Tier savory favorite will be put on hold this summer.
But, Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally organizers say the festival isn't completely canceled just yet.

Thousands of people head to Binghamton for the event every August. But this year, Otsiningo Park will look a bit empty.

"The state is not issuing any mass gathering permits,” said David Pessagno, the Spiedie Fest coordinator. “They need to start doing that for us to have our event. Right now, I'm sure they don't feel safe with what's going on with this virus."

The permit allows more than 5,000 people to attend, and the festival attracts about 80,000. Pessagno hopes things will change over these next couple of months, so they can have the event in October instead.

"We need to work with the state, work with the county for approval first,” said Pessagno. “We'll submit a plan, and if they are issuing mass gathering permits at that time then we have a chance. If they're not, then it's done and over."

"We'll do everything we can to make sure that event happens if the state allows it,” said Jason Garnar, (D) Broome County executive. “There's been so many things that have been canceled in Broome County already. I'm holding out hope like the organizers are holding out hope."

Pessagno says this gives them more time to plan. They also expect officials to give them some restrictions such as limiting visitors or eliminating children’s' rides.

"We don't know a lot of things right now,” said Pessagno. “How we're going to clean bathrooms? How we're going to make it safe for everybody? We have an idea. We may have to do temperature checks. We may have to provide masks. We're not sure of all of that stuff, but there's hope."

Pessagno says if all goes well, they're saving the date for October 9-11.