For a second straight year, the annual three-day Thanksgiving weekend tradition in the village of Norwood, Ont., is cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The Norwood Fair, which features agricultural competitions and events, arts and crafts, a midway and vendors, typically draws approximately 50,000 people through the gates every year.
READ MORE: Coronavirus: Norwood Fair cancelled for Thanksgiving weekend
The cancellation in 2020 was the first time since the Second World War the fair didn’t run.
“This decision was made after much consideration, discussion and anxiety,” organizers stated on Facebook. “We thank everyone for their support over the past 152 years and look forward to ‘business as usual’ in 2022.”
“It will greatly impact all of our businesses as well as the Branch 300 Legion. This was a tough decision for the fair board directors to make but a smart decision,” stated Asphodel-Norwood mayor Rodger Bonneau in a text message to Global News Peterborough.
“Until the rollout of the vaccine and (everyone) has had 2 shots, waiting until 2022 only makes sense. We will also be missing out on the Norwood Jamboree which is also a large attraction for our area. Businesses have struggled this past year, but we encourage all to shop often and shop local. Keeping our Township healthy is our top priority.”
“I can’t say I blame them. There are huge safety concerns. Their volunteers work so hard and they work all year to pull this fair off and thousands of people come to Norwood,” Peterborough County warden J. Murray Jones said to Global News on Thursday. “Let’s have the common sense here and we’re not ready for that yet. We don’t need to cause more problems. My hat is off to the volunteers of the Norwood Fair. They’re being part of the solution and not part of the problem.”
If the Norwood Fair goes ahead in 2022 as planned, it will be held on Oct. 8-10.
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