Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Pandemic forces more event cancellations
POTSTOWN » The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the borough’s schedule of outdoor events.
In addition to forcing the cancellation of the Pottstown Volleyball rumble last month, other events planned for Memorial Park have also been canceled.
On July 8, the organizers of the PowWow on Manatawny Creek, scheduled to take place at the end of August, announced that the event has been canceled.
“While we had held out hope that the circumstances would be better by the end of August, the persistence of this virus has proven to be overwhelming,” organizer Ron Williams wrote on the event’s Facebook page.
“Out of respect for our volunteers, performers, guests and vendors, we felt that the threat of the possibility of this ugly virus infecting anyone associated with our event and the community was simply not worth continuing with the schedule,” he wrote. “The importance of remaining safe and healthy is utmost in our concern and I pray that you will understand our decision.”
Also canceled is the Bark for Life event in the park, originally scheduled for Sept. 19, part of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraiser.
According to the event’s Facebook page, it is now considering an online basket auction as a way to raise money in 2020.
To date, the GoFourth Festival, rescheduled from July 4 to Labor Day, Sept. 6, remains on the calendar.
However another popular event has been canceled as well — this year’s Fete en Blanc, originally scheduled for Sept. 18 in Smith Family Plaza.
“Due to ongoing uncertainty and safety concerns related to COVID-19, Pottstown Area Industrial Development (PAID), Inc. and Hobart’s Run have made the extremely difficult decision to cancel this year’s Fete en Blanc celebration,” organizer Cathy Skitko announced in an email.
“Our thorough discussions included evaluation of other community’s decisions regarding similar, large-scale events and related Covid-19 logistical considerations. While we are truly sad about canceling this beautiful, popular end-of-summer event for 2020, the safety and wellbeing of our community is foremost in our minds,” she wrote.
Ironically, an eating event in Smith Family Plaza was approved this week by borough council.
The Blue Elephant restaurant received permission to conduct a “picnic” in the park, located on High Street in front of borough hall, on July 22.
Council’s permission was sought because the restaurant will supply patrons with a picnic meal and a bottle of wine. No other alcohol will be served.
Council debated the appropriateness of allowing a for-profit business to use a public space, particularly given that the federal transportation funding which paid for much of the park’s construction has very specific rules about its use.
When the vote came Monday, Councilman Don Lebedynsky voted against it. Councilwoman Lisa Vanni said she was supporting the event because of the impact the pandemic has had on local businesses, restaurants in particular.
“All CDC guidelines in reference to COVID-19, will be abided by strictly. Picnic blankets will all be spaced in accordance with social distancing guidelines,” according to the restaurant’s application.