COVID-19 Kills This Year's Anacortes Arts Festival

The Anacortes Arts Festical has cancelled its 2020 edition, saying the decision wasn't made lightly. "We feel like we have pushed all of the deadlines for planning as far as we can."

The cancellation of the big annual festival, which can draw 100,000 people over a three-day weekend, was announced on the arts festival's Web site. 

The announcement said the decision was made, "After months of patiently watching the impact that COVID has had on our communities and preparing for whatever large events will look like in the future."

"There are so many unknowns when it comes to COVID and especially as it relates to the safe re-opening of large gatherings," the announcement said.

The festival board considered a postponement to September and decided there are just too many unknowns when it comes to COVID and especially when it comes to large gatherings. 

The board has set next year's dates as Aug. 6 - 8, 2021.