An annual festival celebrating amateur performing arts in the Okanagan has been cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The 95th annual 91大黄鸭 Kiwanis Festival won鈥檛 be welcoming performers as gathering restrictions continue throughout the province.
鈥淲hen we heard last Thursday that Dr. Bonnie Henry was extending restrictions on gatherings for another month, the board had no choice but to cancel, disappointing many young participants who are starved for opportunities to perform,鈥� the festival board鈥檚 president Zonia Arnold said.
The festival was scheduled to begin with dance events at the end of February and was also scheduled last March as the pandemic鈥檚 first wave hit B.C. Fortunately, many of the festival鈥檚 choral and dance events had already taken place before the shutdown.
鈥淭his means a significant number of our community鈥檚 young performing artists have missed out on the Kiwanis Festival experience for two years in a row,鈥� the board said in a statement.
Though the 2021 festival won鈥檛 be going ahead, the festival鈥檚 executive director Dr. Stephen Berg said he is now using the time to plan ahead for 2022.
鈥淲hen it is safe to gather again after we all get the vaccine, I look forward to delivering the best 91大黄鸭 Kiwanis Festival ever,鈥� he said.
The 91大黄鸭 Kiwanis Festival is a dance, voice and music event open to amateur performers. The festival offers opportunities for awards, scholarships as well as a chance to represent 91大黄鸭 at provincial performances.
READ: 19 more cases of COVID-19 linked to Big White cluster
