‘Uncertainty and risks’ amid coronavirus pandemic wipe out popular Durham summer festival
For the first time since 1979, a staple of Durham’s summer cultural schedule will not be held while another that started 16 years ago won’t be held in person.
Due to public health concerns caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Eno River Association announced Thursday this year’s Festival for the Eno is canceled.
“This was a difficult decision to make,” says festival director Greg Bell said in an email statement, “but the uncertainty and risks to our community members’ health are simply too high to allow us to continue with planning an event of this complexity and magnitude for this July.”
Bell said there are no plans to reschedule.
Held every year since 1980 at Durham’s West Point on the Eno City Park, the festival raises funds to protect lands in the Eno River basin. The festival, featuring multiple stages of music plus arts and crafts, draws thousands of people annually.
“We are deeply saddened to have to make this decision, and we know it will be felt by the tens of thousands who have shared many joyful moments with us on the banks of the Eno each summer,” says Eno River Association executive director Jessica Sheffield said in an email statement. “We are grateful to local officials, our partners, and our festival volunteers and staff who worked together to make this difficult decision thoughtfully over the last few weeks. We have always worked to protect the health of the Eno River, but our foremost priority must be to protect the health of the people along its banks.”
While the Eno festival is a casualty of the pandemic, another popular Durham event is moving forward with significant changes.
The humorous Beaver Queen Pageant, normally held at Duke Park, will occur virtually next month. The event has raised $157,000 for the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association since it began in 2005.
This year’s event schedule includes the talent episode on June 6, a Q&A episode on June 7 and a what’s tabbed as a “final CORONAtion” episode on June 13. The event is renowned for having its contestants take on beaver personalities and introduce themselves in their wetlands.
This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 10:21 AM.