FAIRFIELD — Organizers of Indian Summer Days said Friday they've decided to end the festival after more than 20 years because of competition from private events and difficulty finding a permanent site.

        The decision was not easy, said festival chairwoman Sue Nitz.

        The revitalization of the July 4 Red, White and Kaboom fireworks show, which draws many of the same volunteers and supporters, contributed to the decision. So did the development of the new Village Green area, organizers said.

        “We felt that the activities that will be held there will somewhat take the place of the festival,” Mrs. Nitz said.

        Longtime festival volunteer Carol Glenn agreed.

        “It's probably going to be a disappointment to a lot of people, but there are so many new things happening in Fairfield that it has contin ued to grow and prosper,” said Mrs. Glenn.

        Though the festival will end, organizers said, its legacy will be the endowment of scholarships for high school seniors.

        After a year off, Indian Summer Days returned last September in a new location and was reduced from three to two days. By moving the festival from Central Elementary School to Harbin Park, organizers had hoped to create a communitywide event.

        “The problem, though, is there's just no non-school site in the city with enough parking for the thousands of people who came to Fairfield Indian Summer Days,” Mrs. Nitz said. “The Butler County Regional Transit Authority provided a very efficient shuttle bus system, but it added to the expenses of the festival.”

        This year's budget was about $27,000, which also paid for electricity, cleanup and scholarship money. After the bills are paid, the remaining money will be transferred to the Fairfield Community Foundation to endow scholarships. By contributing at least $5,000 to the foundation, Indian Summer Days will become a founding member, Mrs. Nitz said.

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