Usually around this time of the year, I’m starting to ramp up the excitement that comes with the city’s annual Summerfest celebration, set for June 18-21.
The summer celebration is the city’s biggest event of the year and features four days of carnival rides, great musical entertainment, a variety of food booths hosted by local nonprofit groups, a beer and wine garden, and much, much more.
However, what should come as no surprise to residents, the 2020 Summerfest has officially been canceled by the Summerfest Committee.
“Due to the unprecedented circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize the need to support the direction of the governor of California along with the Orange County health director in slowing the spread of the virus through social distancing and limiting community gatherings,” said city Community Services Director Rob Frizzelle in a memo released last week.
“While we are greatly disappointed in canceling the annual kick off of summer in Fountain Valley, the volunteer committee and city staff understand that the health, safety and well-being of our community are of paramount concern during this unprecedented time,” Frizzille said. In addition, the committee felt it was the responsible action to notify our dedicated community volunteers, business partners, vendors and entertainers of the cancellation in a timely manner.”
Frizzelle did offer a glimmer of hope, however.
“While the traditionally scheduled Summerfest event will not take place in June 2020, the committee will look for other opportunities in the future to provide community engagement when and where they become available,” he said. “We hope that you will all join with us in adhering to the recommended guidelines provided by the governing health officials.”
And while I’m on the topic that is on most everybody’s minds, I’d like to offer a huge shout-out to the Fountain Valley Rotary Club.
The club took part in a Rotary District-wide effort to create face shields for those workers on the COVID-19 front lines.
In Fountain Valley alone, volunteers from Rotary, Kiwanis, the Fountain Valley Community Foundation and individuals just wanting to help assembled 6,635 face shields over a four-day period. The Rotary District’s efforts over three weekends at seven locations assembled more than 57,000 face shields. Locally, the Rotary effort was spearheaded by Rotary member Chef Marla McGee.
Last week, McGee personally delivered 1,500 shields – 200 to Manor Care nursing home, 600 to Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center and 700 to Fountain Valley Regional Hospital & Medical Center.
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