Boalsburg’s Memorial Day events, fire company carnival among latest COVID-19 cancellations
Update: The Pleasant Gap Fire Company also canceled its 2020 carnival, parade and associated events on Wednesday.
The Boalsburg Fire Company Carnival is the latest summer event and fundraiser to be canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The five-day festival that traditionally begins the Thursday before Memorial Day brings in about $20,000 to $24,000 annually for the fire company, Assistant Chief Greg Alters said Wednesday.
It’s the first time the carnival was canceled in its at least 50-year history.
“It was hard for us and we held out hope that we could do it. More than the money, it’s about doing something for our community. This is a tradition,” Alters said. “(It’s) something families look forward to coming to year after year. It’s a Boalsburg homecoming. People who grew up here come back to visit old friends.”
The jamboree is the first fire company carnival of the season in Centre County, though its cancellation followed in the footsteps of several other major events.
The Bellefonte Cruise, Central PA 4th Fest, Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, People’s Choice Festival and Philipsburg Heritage Days were also canceled for the first time in their respective histories recently.
The Snow Shoe Carnival, Nittany Antique Machinery spring show and several Memorial Day events in Boalsburg have also been canceled.
Some organizations are planning for either virtual celebrations later in the year or have turned their attention toward 2021’s events.
The Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair is one of Centre County’s last remaining summer festivals that is still scheduled to proceed, though organizers announced March 19 they will adjust “should the authorities require any change in scheduling.”
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 12:04 PM.