One of the first cancellations of a public event in Hopkinsville in response to the coronavirus outbreak occurred Thursday morning with the announcement that the 11th annual Hopkinsville International Festival will not be held this year. It was scheduled for March 27 and 28 at the Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex.
“Public safety is foremost in mind with this decision and all of our community events,” Tab Brockman, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, said in a news release. “All officials we consulted with agreed that canceling this year’s I-Fest was in the best interest of the public health of the citizens of Hopkinsville and Christian County public health at this time.
“I-Fest draws brings together nearly 4,000 attendees over two days and includes representatives, performers and vendors from a wonderful variety of different countries. As special as the event is, we agree with our public health and safety professionals that minimizing the risk for spreading the virus at an event of this size is the appropriate action, especially at this time,” Brockman added. “Our goal is to work with all of our great partners for 2021 and bring the International Festival back bigger and better than ever.”
Representatives of the Christian County Health Department, Hopkinsville Fire Department, Hopkinsville Police Department, Christian County Sheriff’s Office and the Christian County Emergency Management Office were consulted.
The festival will not be rescheduled.
Refunds for vendors and others involved with the International Festival will be arranged through the Parks and Recreation office by calling 270-887-4290.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
