By The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Black Expo is canceling its Summer Celebration and its Circle City Classic football game this year because of the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19, the organization announced Thursday.

The Summer Celebration, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to Indianapolis, would have marked its 50th anniversary in July. Some of the artists set to perform at the event were Keith Sweat, Stephanie Mills, Johnny Gill, and El Debarge.

Organizers say they are still hoping to hold some of their education and business conferences of the summer event in a virtual format.

“There are still many unknowns about the virus," Black Expo said. "Even more alarming is the impact of COVID-19 within the African American population nationwide. We are suffering disproportionately.”

The Circle City Classic is an annual football game played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis featuring two historically black colleges. Events also include a parade and concert.