Waynesboro cancels popular events

Downtown Waynesboro has cancelled twopopulardowntowneventsthis yearbecauseoftheongoingCOVID-19pandemic.
Mainstreet Waynesboro’s board decided recently to cancel the Fathers Day Car and Truck Show and the 5th annual Beer Wine and Cider Festival.
Botheventsattract large crowdsdowntown,accordingtoBillKohler,MainstreetWaynesboro’sdirectorofeconomicdevelopment.
“Theseeventshavebeenverypopularwithlotsofpeople,“ Kohler said.
They highlightlocalbusinessesanddrawmanypeopletodowntownrestaurantsandstores.
Kohlercitedcontinuedconcernsforthepublic’shealthandrestrictionsonlargegatheringsasthemainreasonsnottoholdtheeventsin2020.
OtherfactorsincludePennDOT’sdecisionnottoissuepermitsforstreetclosings. Some vendors also hesitatetoparticipateinlargescaleevents.
READ: Tips to Stay Safe, Support Business
Waynesboro goals for 2021
ThegoalistobringbackthecarshowonFathersDayweekendin2021.
“Lastyear’sshowwasourbiggestever,withmorethan170vehiclesandanestimated4,000to5,000people.Weknowhowmuchpeopleloveit,butwecan’tclosedownMainStreetatthistime. Andwewereunabletofindasuitablereplacementlocation,”Kohlersaid.
TheBeerWineandCiderFestivalwaspushedfromMay16toSept.12becauseofCOVID-19concerns.Lastyear’sfestivalwasheldatMainStreetParkanditsparkinglot.Itwasthemostsuccessfulsingle-dayfundraisingeventinMainstreetWaynesboro’shistory.
Thegoaloftheorganizationremainstoholdthateventagainin2021.
Events still happening
Smaller events are still happening downtown, including the successful Market at the Park from 8:30 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.
ThemarketwillholditsonlynightmarketoftheyearThursdayfrom5-8p.m
Mainstreet Waynesboro still plans to host Wizarding Weekend Aug. 7-8. That event includes a free Harry Potter movie showing in the park Friday, wizarding workshops and events all day Saturday.
2019 Waynesboro Wizarding Weekend
MainstreamWaynesborohopestohostsmallereventsinthefallandwintertomakeupforthelossinrevenueandtogeneratefoottrafficdowntown.
Downtown Waynesboro’s mission is downtown revitalization. The Coronavirus pandemic has forced cancellation of many larger activities this year, however.
Kohler is optimistic about the post-pandemic future, however.
“WeareconfidentthatdowntownWaynesborowillcomeoutontheothersideofthisbetterthanbefore,” he said.“Especiallyifweallworktogetherandsupportourlocalbusinessesandnonprofitswheneverwecan.”