CHAT News File Photo

By Chris Brown

Tickets valid next year, refunds available

Quonset Days cancelled for second year

Jun 4, 2021 | 9:16 AM

CYPRESS COUNTY, AB – A decision has been made on Quonset Days and it’s not the one many were hoping for.

General manager Trevor Biemans says the uncertainty of what’s going to be happening at that point in time was ultimately the deciding factor.

“Obviously the province’s reopening plan is an ambitious one and it’s nice to see that we’re going in the right direction with it,” he says. “But it could very easily just as well, one, it could not reach that point by then and, two, we could open up and the numbers start to skyrocket again and things could be locked down and again and we could potentially it closed the day before it could be closed during and it’s not a risk that our organization as a non-profit we can take.”

Biemans says that wouldn’t be responsible to the charity and it’s not responsible to the patrons, vendors, volunteers or anybody who’s going to be attending the event.

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

14h ago

POSTAL STRIKE

Donations to Medicine Hat non-profits drop over Canada Post strike

14h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

22h ago

Quonset Days 2021 was to take place July 22-24 featuring MacKenzie Porter, The Reklaws, Corb Lund and more.

Quonset Days has always been a very social event, says Biemans, and they like the framework that literally has people standing shoulder to shoulder with each other, mingling without restriction.

“If we had to start implementing things like social distancing and mask-wearing, it’s a lot of extra steps that we’d have to take in and all of those things come with a cost and again that’s taking away from the charity as well,” he adds.

Biemans says they waited as long as they could before making the same decision this year and there was an awkward silence when the board actually put the decision to a vote.

They’re taking it in stride though.

“It’s unfortunate but it was the right decision we think,” Biemans says. “Hopefully everyone respects that and we’ve been getting feedback already and everybody seems to be following that same feeling as well.”

Quonset Days 2022 is planned for July 21-23, and the artists booked for this year will be welcomed back next year.

Tickets for the 2021 event will be valid next year. Anyone who wants a refund can request one at quonsetdays@gmail.com.

Quonset Days was also cancelled in 2020.

The event was created as a tribute to Peter Biemans, father of Trevor Biemans, who passed away in 2009 from ALS. In addition to the music, the event features food vendors, a live and silent auction and pedal tractor races, all held on the Biemans’ farm near Seven Persons.