The Berea Chamber of Commerce has voted to not hold the Spoonbread Festival this year. This year's Spoonbread Festival, previously scheduled for September 16-18, would have been its 20th anniversary.
The chamber cited safety concerns after recent protests over the confederate flag. City leaders wanted the flag banned at the festival, but the chamber says it couldn't do that without a new ordinance from the city.
The chamber also says the city demanded vendors at the festival get a business license.
Some Berea businesses fear they will lose thousands of dollars from the loss of the festival.
Gary McCormick is general manager of Boone Tavern, a hotel and restaurant well known for its spoonbread. He estimates Boone Tavern could lose as much as $15,000 from the loss of the festival.