Elmira Maple Syrup Festival cancelled
Posted Mar 12, 2020 01:41:00 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It would have been its 56th year, but the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival has been called off.
A statement posted to social media reads, “It is with great sadness that the committee of the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, one of the biggest community fundraisers in Waterloo Region, has decided to cancel the festival.”
It goes on to cite Wednesday’s announcement by the World Health Organization as the reason; the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
“It is a difficult decision, but we needed to think with our heads, not our hearts,” said Festival Chair Doug McLean in the statement.
McLean said the committee will now focus on finding new ways to support the community this year, and they look forward to hosting the festival in 2021.
Rod Hoddle, who handles communications for the festival, says it was a “very easy decision,” to make.
“The key thing was … the great concern was expressed by the committee to not put anyone at risk, not just the public, but the volunteers, vendors, everyone that would be part, or attend that event.” Hoddle told The Mike Farwell Show on 570 NEWS.
He adds with around 60,000 people attending the annual event, you really need to have your act together.
“When you have other things (COVID-19) added to the scenario, that just makes it that much more difficult.”
with files from Blair Adams
