The COVID-19 virus has forced the cancellation of many events this summer but the Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry is still planning for two popular events.
“We are still planning to do the ‘I Love Clarion’ event in July,” said the chamber’s executive director Tracy Becker.
Becker said May 28 there would be events at the Clarion University stadium but social distancing will be observed. Children’s games and Bingo will not be part of the line-up this year.
Becker said there might be a special guest at the event.
“I am not able to say who that may be,” she said. “The special guest may do a few numbers with our own Wrangler Band. We will make sure that, somehow, this happens in Clarion. The board really wanted to be sure that we did the fireworks.
“We did not want to reach out to the business community for donations because they have been hit so hard this year, so we started a ‘Go Fund Me page.'”
Details are on the chamber’s Facebook page.
On June 20 the chamber is hosting a photo scavenger hunt. For a registration fee, people can go by car in search of certain Clarion County landmarks. When they find a landmark they take a photo of the team at the landmark. The photos are posted online and a grand prizewinner will be drawn on July 3 at the “I Love Clarion” event.
“It is a way to help the fireworks fund and see some of Clarion County’s landmarks,” said Becker.
“We have been through something in the last 10 to 12 weeks that we never thought we would see. We need to do the fireworks for the community. We need to light up people’s faces.”
Autumn Leaf Festival
The Autumn Leaf committee is continuing to plan for the fall celebration.
“Our plan is to move forward with Autumn Leaf,” Becker said. “We will be having a committee meeting next week. A couple of our events may not happen this year, We may restructure some events. We will reach out to other organizations that hold events associated with ALF to see what they are planning.”
There may also be changes to Clarion University’s Cultural Week, which is held concurrent with ALF.
“The university has informed us that they are taking a different approach to their Cultural Week this year. They may be using more local talent,” said Becker. “The priority is to be certain everyone is safe.”