PENHOLD – The town’s annual Fall Festival celebration will not look the same this year but the show will go on.
Last week the town announced Penhold’s signature event of the year would be held Sept. 11 and 12 at the Penhold Regional Multiplex.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced organizers to cut several attractions, including the midway, Craft Beer Wine & Spirits Festival, pancake breakfast, and parade.
Nevertheless, Mayor Mike Yargeau said town staff has worked hard to put together COVID-19 compliant community activities.
“We basically looked at everything we typically do for the Fall Festival, compared it with the (COVID) guidelines as they come out and what we foresaw come September,” said Yargeau, adding town officials did everything it could to make sure the event was not cancelled.
“We decided to really cut a lot of the things that we do because it’s next to impossible to maintain the social distancing requirements and even the people requirements. Our Fall Festival brings a lot of people out to Penhold.
“Yes, it is a real scaled back version for sure. It was tough, definitely a tough thing for us to admit that we can’t do it as we normally do."
There will be a Grab & Go Food Truck Festival on both days starting at 5 p.m. in the north portion of the multiplex parking lot.
On Friday, Sept. 11 will be a family drive-in movie, while on Saturday Sept. 12 will be a date night movie.
“We are still working on finalizing more plans that will be fun for the community and COVID-19 compliant,” he said.
“The highlight of Fall Festival, the fireworks, will happen at sunset on Saturday, the same as other years. The view from the Penhold RV Park is amazing, it is a tradition my family enjoys each year.”
Penhold RV Park rate is reduced to $20 per night the weekend of Fall Festival and sites can be booked using www.campreservations.ca
The latest updates on Penhold Fall Festival can be found at www.townofpenhold.ca
