50th Waterfowl Festival postponed, annual $2.6 million economic impact
EASTON, Md. – For the first time in the Waterfowl Festival’s history, the annual event hosted in Easton has been postponed.
Officials made the announcement late Monday night saying the 50th festival will not be held in November, “at least not in its usual form.” Organizers say they will be using their time to create new plans for this fall including virtual programming.
“All of us want the Festival to take place as usual,” says Kevin Greaney, Festival Board President. “But uncertainty about the future means we must rethink how we are going to safely host an event, especially one of this size”. He explains, “Our strength is in the relationships we have and the face-to-face experiences we offer for artists, vendors and visitors. All our people – and especially our volunteer leaders and supporters who make Festival possible – need to feel confident and safe. So instead of a big event, we are planning for other programs that can still create connections and celebrate our community.”
Organizers say the forty volunteer committee chairs have been planning as usual until now but a lot of details have been on hold because of COVID-19.
“We’ve surveyed many of our stakeholders and what we heard overall is that they share our desire to have the Festival,” says Greaney. “And simultaneously, they – especially our huge corps of leadership and weekend volunteers who make the Festival work — are still very concerned about the fall and a resurgence of COVID19. So, next year, we will host the 50th Festival with the vitality, hospitality and excitement that people have come to expect, along with a few surprises.”
Officials say the Festival has made significant contributions to waterfowl conservation projects over the years and generates millions of dollars for the local economy annually. In 2019, visitors who traveled to Easton for the Waterfowl weekend generated almost $2.6 million in annual economic impact to Talbot County through shopping, lodging and travel.
“This has been a tough time for everyone, full of difficult choices,” says Margaret Enloe, the Executive Director for Waterfowl Chesapeake. “This decision can feel like a step backward, however we see it as an opportunity to try new things, to grow and change. I have every confidence that we will emerge stronger and better. I expect that the 50th Festival in 2021 will be an even more incredible community celebration of the arts and our Eastern Shore heritage, one more vibrant than we could’ve ever imagined.”
