PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. — The Northwest Maritime Center on Friday announced that it is canceling the 2021 Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend due to COVID-19 concerns.
The decision comes as the delta variant continues to surge and event vendors, presenters, and boat owners began pulling out.
Last week, event officials announced advanced (vaccinated/negative-test only) safety protocols, which they said received widespread support to help keep people safe. However, they said, “The decision to cancel was due to the increasing volatility of the public health environment, as well as increasing COVID anxiety in our participants, exhibitors, and community.”
Even with the new protocols, event organizers said they saw new cancellations every day.
“We were confident that we could run a festival in accordance with these safety protocols, but in the end, we weren’t certain that the festival experience would live up to the spirit of celebration and community that has been its hallmark for 45 years. Rather than conduct a festival with a reduced scale and less than full spirit, we have made the decision to cancel.”
Organizers said those who had purchased tickets or paid to participate will be contacted so refunds could be processed.
The festival was scheduled for Sept. 10-12. For additional information about the cancellation click here.