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 5^th 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.

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READ: Tips to Stay Safe, Support Business

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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.

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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.

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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.”