Social distancing hit just in time to postpone (and ultimately cancel) the Green is the New Black Fashion Extravaganza. At the time, it seemed safe to schedule events for autumn, and 5Point opted to change the date as well. But as it became clear that restrictions would be with us for a while, many event organizers opted to do what they could with the time they had — leading to some interesting solutions.
- First Friday went virtual thanks to Thunder River Theatre Company’s “ThunderStream” — a system that became central to many online events. TRTC itself used the platform for a play, while Stage of Life Theatre Company opted for a radio adaptation.
- Dandelion Day was replaced by a series of pop-up plant sales outside of Mana Foods.
- The Farmer’s Market was one of the few official municipal events to proceed more-or-less as usual, with food distribution classified as essential. Still, social distancing was enforced.
- Mountain Fair mixed online and on-air entertainment with musical acts on a flatbed truck and artisan booths in the fenced-off lot at the corner of Sixth and Main streets.
- Our Town One Table, though officially canceled by the Town, went bilingual in your own backyard thanks to KDNK.
- Potato Day followed a similar model as the fair, with virtual contests, a treasure hunt and a special suffragette-themed farmer’s market.
- Other events — including Festival Las Americas, Bike Week, Art aRound Town walk, rodeo, Bonedale Skate Revival, Independence Day parade, Cowboy Up, Celtic Fest and Oktoberfest — simply didn’t take place this year.