Leekfest, which has drawn huge crowds each spring at The Westline Inn for more than two decades, has been canceled this year.

Recent retiree and co-owner of the inn Jonathan Pomeroy told The Era the event got so large that it became difficult for the bar/restaurant to accommodate.

“After 26 leekfests, I guess we just needed a break following my retirement last fall after 40 years at the inn,” Pomeroy explained. “Our daughter, Jennifer, has been taking over the inn and wanted to rethink the festival, which has grown so much over the years as to push our capacity for the event.”

Leekfest represented a tradition for many who traveled from far and wide to enjoy the camaraderie, live music and, of course, varied savory leek dishes and leek dip competitions.

He said he is grateful to everyone who participated in Leekfest over the years and made it such a fun and popular event.

“l know a lot of our patrons who have come every year and am sorry to disappoint them,” Pomeroy stated. “We would like to thank all those who have attended over the years and all those who have helped to make it such an event.”

However, The Westline Inn is planning to feature leek specials created by chef Ross Howard for leek season both for the pub and dining room menus, according to Pomeroy. “We are also planning to host more smaller events including live music this summer,” he said.

Pomeroy did not rule out the possibility of Leekfest returning in future years.

A few incidents marred the experience at Leekfest in 2014.

A Cuba, N.Y. woman was killed in a motorcycle crash on Westline Road as she and her husband left Leekfest last year. The woman was thrown from the back of a motorcycle driven by her husband, who was determined to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time.

Another woman was reportedly raped by her boyfriend along a nearby road in the woods after leaving the event.