Privateer Days Called Off Due To Coronavirus
Liverpool won’t see pirates coming ashore this spring.
The Privateer Days Commission has cancelled their annual event due to the public health restrictions in place to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
Chair Terrena Parnell says after Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang indicated Tuesday it would be several months before the restrictions on large gatherings were lifted, organizers felt it would be best to postpone until next year.
“It didn’t make much sense to move it forward to the fall not knowing when the restrictions will be lifted. Our volunteers, our participants, our attendees, their safety and health is of upmost importance to us and we didn’t feel it was a safe environment. So we felt it was best to postpone and we’ll come back bigger and better next year.”
Parnell says it takes hundreds of volunteers to pull off Privateer Days from firefighters setting off fireworks, to people manning barricades, to parade participants, the event really brings the community together.
It also attracts large crowds to Liverpool. Parnell estimates 20,000 people are drawn to town each year and she had hoped with plans to reintroduce the amusement rides, those numbers would double in 2020.
While safety is the primary concern for postponing the event, Parnell says there are other considerations as well.
“There’s also the issue of the businesses and the general public just not having the money available to back us and support us.”
Privateer Days relies heavily on support from local businesses and government grants each year and Parnell says organizers couldn’t ask those business owners to contribute when many are just trying to stay afloat.
She also worries for parents who may be feeling the financial pinch of coronavirus prevention measures.
“I don’t want to say no and have to disappoint a child and say, you know, I’m sorry we can’t afford to go this year, we don’t have the money to go.”
Parnell says Privateer Days isn’t the only organization facing adversity as many festivals, including the Hank Snow Tribute have already called off their events.
But says she views postponing until 2021 as an opportunity.
“There’s always a silver lining because now we have over a year, we can add to what we already have. We can look at the suggestions the public has given us and put out feelers for more suggestions, see what else we can incorporate into Privateer Days to make it more enjoyable for the people that are attending.”
Parnell says the 43rd annual Privateer Days will go ahead June 25-27, 2021.
Reported by Ed Halverson
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson