6/16/20
Our Announcement Regarding the 2nd Street and Richmond Folk Festivals:
For the safety of our patrons, volunteers, artists and staff due to the unpredictable and ongoing threat posed by the spread of COVID-19, and in accordance with our government officials’ phased approach to group gatherings, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel the 2020 2nd Street Festival and Richmond Folk Festival.
Developments related to state, national, and international events in 2020 have made it clear that as the organizer of these two free, large-scale community festivals, the necessary health precautions simply cannot be taken without radically changing the nature and scope of the events.
We have not reached this decision easily. We know that especially in these times of community isolation it’s important to come together and celebrate our shared culture and experiences, whether they are the rich traditions of the historic Jackson Ward community, or cultures from around the nation and the world presented on our downtown riverfront. Certainly, the joy we receive from producing these two festivals every October is immeasurable. However, we do not believe it is responsible or in the best interest of our community to bring together tens, and even hundreds of thousands of individuals in very close proximity, with no ability to control attendee numbers, distancing, or to sufficiently enforce precautions.
However, we don’t plan to let these two weekends go unnoticed and are working now with our sponsors and partners to determine the most meaningful and safe way we can bring the community together, even if only virtually. We hope you’ll stay tuned for more announcements regarding virtual celebrations for both festivals that showcase favorite past performances, new live performances, online children’s activities, a virtual marketplace, demonstrations, giveaways, and much more.
Remember to “Save the Date” for:
- 2nd Street Festival: October 2-3, 2021
- Richmond Folk Festival: October 8-10, 2021
Until then, stay tuned to our social media pages and websites!