Author Topic: A little confused  (Read 3550 times)

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Offline KA2QFX

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A little confused
« on: September 12, 2020, 01:32:56 PM »
So it's Saturday 9/12/2020.  I just came from a car show at the Deerfield Fairgronds. Indide the upper grounds was an ongoing horse event. Lots of RVs, Campers. Fullbup. Looks like theyve been there a while. Lower field was all classic cars, vendors, swap meeters, etc.  Again pretty full up. Probably three times the size of our event. Not a lot of masks though.   
So Im a little confused about by who and why October NEARFest was nixed.  Certainly seems like the fairgrounds has no problem hosting.

Mark

Offline W1RC

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Re: A little confused
« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2020, 05:13:26 AM »
After giving the matter serious thought and careful consideration I made the difficult decision to cancel the October 2020 NEAR-Fest.  As members of the Deerfield Fair Ass?n Ben and I attended the special meeting in June to decide whether to cancel the 2020 Fair.  One of the main concerns was people coming from ?away?.  It was one of the factors in my decision.  Another was the thought that maintaining a six-foot separation, especially in the flea market would be impossible to enforce.  Additionally, our age group is the most vulnerable to this disease and has the highest mortality rate, a fact that is impossible to ignore.

Additionally many people and exhibitors told me that would not attend NEAR-Fest in October if it were held because of Coronavirus concerns.

I also consulted with my management team.  Every one agreed that the event should be cancelled due to these concerns. 

We are now planning NEAR-Fest XXIX on April 30 and May 1 2021.  However there is no way of knowing how this pandemic will play out in the next six months.  Should conditions warrant it at that point in time and I feel that there is a significant health risk to my management team, our exhibitors, our attendees as well as the fairgrounds staff and townspeople I will do whatever I have to do in order to keep everybody safe. 

We are all disappointed and deeply saddened that the schedule for the coming weekend will be empty.  However we are consoled by the thought that we WILL return to Deerfield and when we do it will be bigger and better than ever.  As of now (October 9th 2020).  That will take place on Friday April 30th, 2021! 

73,

Mister Mike, W1RC

PS: The car show and the horse shows are held at the discretion of the DFA Directors.  I am sure they are in compliance with the NH health department guidelines.   


Offline KA2QFX

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Re: A little confused
« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2020, 01:06:45 PM »

"PS: The car show and the horse shows are held at the discretion of the DFA Directors.  I am sure they are in compliance with the NH health department guidelines."
ROFL !!!   Only while standing in line for tickets. After that. not so much. Not even a little.

Mike,
I fully understand the decision given the info available at the time.  I just find it irksome that the DFA permitted other larger groups to hold events. The car show attendees were a similar age group.  Overall, the decision was not wrong by any means, just unfortunate. Losing a hamfest pales in comparison to what others are suffering due to the COVID-19 restrictions on life and commerce.  Whether these, and continued, restrictions  are fully justified is a subject for much debate. The damage however is indisputable. I look forward to this Spring and sanity returning to the populace.  Think positive, but keep your powder dry.
Mark KA2QFX