The Ocean City Council voted to officially cancel Sunfest on Monday night, after weeks of discussion about the future of the event. Vendors that already made deposits will be refunded, and their spots will be saved for 2021. The town planned to host the 46th Annual Sunfest from October 1-4 in the hopes that the Covid-19 pandemic would no longer be a threat. However, as the event draws closer and the virus continues to spread, officials simply do not believe that holding a major festival is possible.
The 2020 Sunfest has been a hot topic of conversation for the council since the beginning of August. Earlier this month, Special Events Director Frank Miller revealed that statewide Covid-19 restrictions apply to Sunfest, preventing large music events or food tents from being a part of the coveted festival.
Miller said that the loss of ticket sales from musical entertainment alone amounts to $142,000. While he said that the event could still generate revenue, he was skeptical of the willingness of businesses and vendors to participate. A survey of 157 vendors revealed that 38% were questioning whether they would participate, and 54% said that they were comfortable attending. However, 13% of the people willing to attend were motivated by concerns of losing their spot at a future festival rather than actually coming to the 2020 event.
Several weeks ago, Miller and members of the council warned against the backlash the town would face in the media if they were to sponsor the event. They also discussed the negative impact on the event’s reputation as one of the top festivals in the nation.
The responses from vendors, the potential for bad optics, and limitations due to Covid-19 led the council to unanimously vote in favor of the cancellation of Sunfest.
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11 comments:
Somebody has got their priorities backwards. Is the State promoting or combating Covid? Sunfest cancelled... Hard Crab Derby going ahead full throttle on the State owned and operated Somers Cove Marina. Usually, 3 to 5 K people show up on less that the 6 acre fenced in compound where social distancing is all but impossible.
Who the Hell is running the show? This tells you how stupid Hogan really is.
Several of my friends that have charter businesses have filed chapter 11. Boat, equipment, truck and bank wanted all tackle. Left with nothing but bad credit now. 100k a year to 400 a week. So sad. Meanwhile Hogan never used a single tent, center or ventilator government provided. 70 millions dollars worth.
He's too busy guarding the big Korean F^&K- Up him and his wife made with unapproved masks purchased with tax money NOT sanctioned by the Legislature.
State police and National Guard on overtime so the real story will never come to light.
If you still think Hogan is calling the shots then you aren't paying attention.
Wake up
This is a globalist currency reset.
Might as well dissolve all future events. We will get back in our house. Friggin nuts.
4:54. Hard crab derby is NOT going ahead full throttle. Carnival cancelled, parade cancelled, boat docking cancelled. Only a few activities are still scheduled where it is possible to socially distance.
Sunfest was canceled and and SunLITE is replacing it. Guess what, Bikefest and Delmarva Bike Week where canceled too, only to be replaced with OC Bike Rally. See what can be done with words.
Blah...Sunlite? Really Rickie? Stay at Harbor Isle with ur youngin after Nov. U and the others...buh bye. Play ur vids of past years when u hit national news to encourage folks to come to town cuz it's over bub. Lack of plan B for so many items will be ur legacy. Move over let the next group clean up ur ancient mindset. It will take years but it's time to move forward.....trying to reset from all the overgrowth for potential short-term gain is the next step forward. So many Mainstays gone because of the all mighty dollar. $50 parking on the fourth....broken 50 bridge in the summer...power outages...fights on the boards, inability to work with groups for weekend Events...ad nauseum....legacy that is laughable.
11:23 - You said it! Time for him and the council president to go!!!
It's funny we don't hear about that anymore. Especially since he was so proud of himself with his grand announcement. Hogan is just another corrupt POS of Maryland. You should check out Cecil county. Andy Harris has helped Danielle Hornberger commit several federal felonies. She ran for County executive and Forged documents and harvesting votes around the county which is a frederal CRIME.
One of the liquor stores in OC broke a record by selling $35K worth of Hennesy Cognac this past weekend. They sold out. Call it a family resort if you want but families don't favor this particular beverage.
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