CALEB NICKERSON
PONTIAC March 31, 2021
Though several high profile events scheduled for later in the year have already been cancelled due to public health concerns, the organizers of the Shawville Fair are hoping to have some kind of festivities depending on . . .
how the situation evolves over the summer.
In a statement put out on social media, the Pontiac Agricultural Society thanked the community for their continued support and said that they were hopefully going to have some activities available at the fairgrounds come September.
“We acknowledge that priority must be given to the health and safety of everyone,” the statement reads. “We continue to endeavour to develop a program for Labour Day Weekend within the limits of all Government of Quebec and MAPAQ guidelines. As we a fair community need to maintain fluidity in the environment in which we now live. We remain optimistic that some programming and events are possible for 2021.”
The organizers of the Shawville Lions Jamboree and Ladysmith Oktoberfest announced on social media that they would be cancelling their events this year due to the pandemic.
“The decision to cancel was very difficult and not taken lightly,” read the statement from the Oktoberfest board of directors. “After much deliberation, the board felt it was necessary and the right decision to make for everyone involved. Currently, there is no clear timeline on when public gathering restrictions, social distancing practices, and self-isolation measures will be lifted. Since our festival is planned out well in advance, and given the largely social nature of our event, it is incredibly difficult to adequately prepare as we approach the final months of preparation. Especially while there is still so much unknown and so much at stake.”
