Traditionally held in late August, Aromas Day has been canceled for 2020.
Organizers met over the weekend via Zoom and made the decision to cancel the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s a four-decade-old, annual tradition for the small town where thousands of people pack the streets for festivities. It will be postponed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and uncertainty about future restrictions, said Aromas Day coordinator Jan Saxton.
It’s unclear when the state’s shelter in place order may be lifted – with subsequent period likely to follow in which social distancing is involved.
Saxton said it takes about six months to plan the event.
“Even if everything was lifted, by the time we would know everything was lifted, there would not be time to put together the event,” she said.
Aromas Day organizers are focused on getting the word out early to avoid people showing up despite its cancellation. If it looks like some residents might still show up, organizers could consider contingencies such as providing off-street parking and portable restrooms but would not block streets.
They are still exploring how they could potentially help nonprofit organizations that normally generate revenue from Aromas Day. The actual event has a goal of breaking even on about $20,000 in costs, but nonprofits are typically able to raise money through their free booths.
