Piedmont Founder’s Day and Junklahoma, two of the city’s biggest events of the year, have been canceled.
The events had been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12 at 100 W. Monroe in the Old Town. Five years ago, Junklahoma, a large outdoor junk show, was organized for each year on the same day. This year would have been the 29th annual Founder’s Day.
Amber Hite, Founder’s Day outdoor chairwoman, said the decision to cancel was a difficult one but was unanimous by the committee members.
“We had a lot of reasons for making the decision. There are so many unknowns. And we have so many different ages of people who attend,’ Hite said.
Joyce Leach, organizer of Junklahoma, who co-owns The Old Store said the goal will be to have a big show next year. There was too much uncertainty about how the summer will go with the pandemic and coronavirus.
“It is a family event, with the parade, the petting zoo, so it is almost impossible to do the social distancing so to protect the community that is the goal. It is sad and sad economically for Piedmont but it is where we are at right now in the world, I guess,” Leach said.
The concerns over coronavirus would make it hard to keep it more than just a shopping event.
The events have drawn up to 5,000 people to Piedmont.
“I think the goal will be to really go big with the 30th anniversary of Founder’s Day to make it the biggest and best event we can possibly put on,” Leach said.
A social media post Tuesday reads: “After much deliberation and months of discussion, the Founders Day committee has decided to cancel the 2020 Founder’s Day/Junklahoma event. The hurdles of providing the family friendly event as we know and love it were just too great.”
“To the vendors: Booth fees will be refunded as soon as possible,” according to a social media post.
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