Air quality prompts cancellations of McHenry County outdoor events

Several outdoor activities in McHenry County were canceled Thursday because of heavy haze and poor air quality blamed on northern wildfires.

Several outdoor events in McHenry County were canceled Thursday as Canadian wildfire smoke moved into the area. McHenry Outdoor Theater in Lakemoor announced its closure Thursday on Facebook, with owner Scott Dehn saying it will reopen Friday and to check back for updates. “Out of an abundance of caution and concern for our customers and my staff, I have decided not to open this evening due to the high heat factor combined with the poor air quality.

Also, the smoke may drastically affect the way the movie is viewed on screen,” Dehn wrote. “Thank you all for understanding!” In Crystal Lake, Main and West beaches, as well as the beach at Three Oaks Recreation Area, were also all shut down because of air quality.

In downtown Crystal Lake , organizers moved Art at the Depot, scheduled for Thursday, to Aug. 20 because of the air quality. The Downtown Crystal Lake Arts Committee said in a news release, “We want this event to be a fun, healthy experience for the artists, performers, volunteers - and you. Please come on August 20th for a combined and expanded event, and enjoy an art-filled evening in the park!

Thank you for your understanding and stay safe!” Organizers said the Aug. 20 event would have an “art fair, live music from Sara Jean Stevens & the Swamp Angels, a performance by the Judith Svalander Dance Theater and so much more.” In McHenry , Thursday’s Pearl Street Market, Fiesta Days Parade Marshal Ceremony and all city of McHenry Parks and Recreation programming were called off for Thursday because of the air quality.

“The health and safety of our residents, visitors, participants, volunteers, vendors and staff remain our highest priority. While we understand this is disappointing, we believe this is the most responsible decision given the current conditions,” the city said in an alert. Woodstock Water Works said on Facebook it was closed Thursday because of the air quality.

Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center in Cary closed early Thursday, according to the Cary Park District Facebook. Also, a screening of “When Harry Met Sally” was scheduled to take place on Woodstock Square Thursday, but was moved inside to the Opera House because of the weather. The movie was slated to take place at 8:30 p.m.

but was bumped up to 8 p.m. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued an Air Quality Alert through midnight Thursday for the Rockford area and all six Chicago -area forecast zones, citing unhealthy levels of fine particulate pollution and ozone. The alert covers much of northern Illinois, including Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Lake, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, La Salle, Kendall, Grundy, Cook and Will counties.