City of North Bend announced on Monday, June 22, 2020 that it was regrettably canceling its popular Downtown Block Party. The festival was scheduled for July 18th. The Legends Car Show, scheduled for July 18th and 19th, is also canceled.
The annual Downtown Block Party festival features live entertainment, foods, vendors, and many local artists, drawing in people from surrounding regions and packing downtown North Bend.
According to the city, “The decision to cancel these events is due to a combination of social distancing concerns, anticipated lack of sponsorship funds and the uncertainty of which phase of the Safe Start reopening plan that King County will be in during the scheduled event.”
Mayor Rob McFarland said:
“In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the current restrictions on social distancing set forth by public health organizations, we believe that cancelling this event is necessary to ensure the safety of our community and the festival vendors. This decision was not made lightly as we know the Downtown Block Party is a time of celebration that brings families and friends together from all over the Puget Sound to our downtown core.”
The city said it is working on other ways to enhance North Bend businesses that will adhere to public health guidelines.
Other North Bend events including Trick-or-Treat Street and Holly Days, have not been cancelled at this time. The city said decisions about these events will be made closer to the event dates based on public health guidelines and Governor Jay Inslee’s directives.
City officials said they hope to see the community at next year’s Downtown Block Party, planned for July 17, 2021.
[Proceeds from Downtown Block Party go to increasing the offerings of Block Party, and to the North Bend Downtown Foundation, a local nonprofit that is strives to create and promote a vibrant downtown.]
