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Welp.
Due to COVID-19's delta variant spreading like wildfire, 2021's Mothman Festival is officially CANCELLED.
The news came out yesterday, and I am SO disappointed!
From
one of the news stories (byline: Bailey Brautigan, August 19, 2021), this is the 2nd year in a row the festival has been canceled, and it's due to expected crowds having the capacity to overwhelm a small town at a time the pandemic is expected to have peak numbers.
From the town's website, in a banner right up top:
"We’d love for you to visit, but stay home for now. Instead, discover Point Pleasant virtually through our website. We encourage you to follow WV guidelines for safety, travel and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic."
And from the festival organizers:
"After several meetings with local public health and city officials, the Mothman Festival team is saddened to announce that we are canceling the 2021 Mothman Festival. We realize that some might not understand or realize that we are already in a vulnerable position with the festival crowd outnumbering our town by thousands. We operate with a small number of staff to handle that great of a load (many are our personal family and close friends). Local hospitalizations and active Covid cases are rising daily, and according to officials at our health department, are not expected to peak until right around Mothman Festival time. We are disappointed, but it was not an easy decision to make, we can assure you of that. We cannot in good conscious jeopardize the health of our families, your families, or any family that calls Mason County WV home. We appreciate you guys, and we hope that we’ll see you again when things are more manageable and safe. - Also note, if you have purchased tickets for the bus tours, your money will be refunded, and all of our vendors have been emailed prior to this notice. Here’s hoping to a better 2022."
Bummer, but it is what it is! I totally understand why they made this difficult decision. I hope it'll go on next year; this was to be my first Mothman Festival, and it's been on my bucket list for many years, now.
Everyone stay safe, okay?
