While usually held in September, the Yorkton Arts Council has pulled the plug on the 2021 edition of Sunflower Art & Craft Market.
"There was a long discussion with the Board of Directors Monday (March 1)," explained YAC manager Tonia Vermette.
Vermette said typically they take registrations for booths in March and they were receiving calls asking 'what's happening?'
Unfortunately, there is not an answer to that question at present. Current restrictions due to COVID-19 would not make a trade show viable, said Vermette, adding there is no indication when changes to those restrictions might happen, or what they might look like by September. With such uncertainty it was impossible to plan the 2021 event.
"Even if it were possible to hold Sunflower would it be in any way close to normal?" she asked.
Vermette said they also did not want to take registrations from exhibitors and then end up canceling, leaving crafters with items they had made in anticipation of the Sunflower event.
And, there was the consideration of volunteers who make holding the event possible.
"Will they be vaccinated?" asked Vermette, adding the safety of event staff, exhibitors and patrons was paramount.
Ultimately there were too many unanswered questions.
"We're not just sure where we're going to be at," said Vermette. ". . . We just felt everything was too up-in-the-air."
