For the second year in a row, the Bancroft Rockhound Gemboree has been cancelled.
Mayor Paul Jenkins says while the decision was difficult, it was done in the interest of public safety. With new COVID variants, along with the long time it takes to plan the Gemboree, the Town could not risk public safety. He says that it is the responsible decision, and would still be the right one if the pandemic was over before the Gemboree started. He says it is better to give everyone early notice that the event would not take place.
In addition, Jenkins says that safety could not be guaranteed because of the international nature of the event. Some vendors had already expressed concerns with travel and the status of the US-Canada Border. However, Jenkins says this just means planning for next year can proceed, and hopes for a reenergized event when it is safe to do so.