Dancing horses show off their moves in former Rhododendron Festivals in Florence.
Florence Chamber of Commerce
Civic organizations across Oregon are starting to cancel events for a second year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Rhododendron Festival in Florence usually kicks off the tourist season along the central Oregon Coast. It’s meant to run the third weekend in May and it attracts about 30,000 people.
But the Florence Chamber of Commerce canceled it last year and has suspended it again this year.
CEO Bettina Hannigan understands the need for safety but is frustrated the state issues health edicts, then rescinds them.
“It makes it very difficult to plan when we don’t know what the restrictions are going to be that day,” she said. “It’s a moving target.”
The festival may run later in the year, but locals are hoping gardener Mike Bones will again roll his wheelbarrow of rhododendrons along the parade route on the day the event is usually held.
“The board and other stakeholders have agreed that there is no way to enforce social distancing and efficient proper sanitizing, even outdoors to hold the carnival,” Hannigan said.
“OHA guidelines prohibit large gatherings and we must comply with these restrictions. We are so saddened by another loss for this generational family tradition and its economic impact on Florence for a second year.”
The Rhododendron Festival makes the single largest economic impact on Florence’s tourist-driven economy. Around 1,900 people in Florence rely on tourism-based employment, which pumps $147 million into the local economy every year.
“We must be vigilant in adhering to Gov. Kate Brown’s rulings. … Our top priority should be preventing further spread of COVID-19 and taking care of each other with compassion, humility and encouragement,” Hannigan said.
Some event organizers around Oregon and Washington have not yet canceled events so far in advance, in the hope that health restrictions will be lifted beforehand.