Vancouver – During her COVID-19 briefing on Saturday April 18, BC’s top Doctor, Dr.Bonnie Henry dropped the bombshell. All due to social distancing and COVID-19.
Parades, fairs and festivals “won’t be happening this summer.” So no PNE, no Pride Parade, no Cloverdale Rodeo, etc. And no large weddings or funerals.
The Cloverdale Rodeo, along with Chilliwack’s Party in the Park series and Yarrow Days 50th Anniversary have all been shelved for the year.
Laura Ballance with LBMG management group, which covers the PR for the Cloversale Rodeo and the PNE issued a statement in response to Dr. Henry.
COVID-19 has impacted everything around us,in BC and throughout the world, and we are grateful for the leadership we are seeing from our health authorities and officials. Because of COVID-19, this summer will look different at the PNE. The opportunities to celebrate will be different and we absolutely recognize that our plans forthe PNE Fair and Playland will need to adjust accordingly. We continue to monitor progress and work with Government officials and,when the time is right, we will be ready to welcome the province back in ways that makes sense for all our health and safety.
Ballance went on to say on Facebook:
One of the darkest days in my professional career, and the first time I ever started to cry in the middle of a TV interview. But one thing I know for sure is the PNE team, our partners, exhibitors and fans are a scrappy bunch. Two world wars, the Great Depression, and an economic recession didn’t take us down. Nor will COVID. But we’re going to need you BC. The 9500 direct and indirect employees, the youth who depend on these jobs, the concessionaires, the exhibitors – we will need you. We are the collective memory of the province. We are where Elvis, The Beatles and the Stones all played. Jimmy Durante, Queen, Pink Floyd and hundreds of others. We were the place Michael Buble was discovered and where Bryan Adams played his first big show. We are the birthplace of NHL hockey in BC and the site of the Miracle Mile, 2010 ice dance gold and that beautiful Wooden Coaster. Our Fair generates $85 million dollars annually into the region and the PNE organization generates $200 million annually into our province. And we are determined to find our way through.
No official cancellations have been announced for events including the Kent 125 celebration in the Valley, the Chilliwack Fair, Abbotsford Agrifair, Abbotsford Air Show or the Chilliwack Flight Fest.
Organizers with Kent 125 tell FVN that “an official word on this will come out soon”.
The BC Lions, minor football, Vancouver Whitecaps, Chilliwack FC , BCFC Football etc are all on hold … for now.
The Merritt Rockin’ River Country Fest has yet to cancel. Last week their organizers alluded to FVN they they remained “hopeful”.
Monday is April 20, or 4/20. Don’t expect a smoke up anywhere. At least not in public.
While there remains hope that some social restrictions may be lifted later in May, that is not etched stone.
