MERIDEN — The 42nd annual Daffodil Festival is canceled in light of the governor's ban on large gatherings through April 30, the city announced Friday afternoon.

City Manager Tim Coon made the decision after meeting Friday with Health Director Lea Crown and Parks and Recreation Director Chris Bourdon. The cancellation, Coon said, includes the annual tag sale and 5K road race held the weekend before the city’s premier event scheduled for April 26-27 in Hubbard Park.

“I’m a little shell shocked,” said the parade’s lead organizer, Mark Zebora, who wasn’t aware of the decision when contacted by phone. “We've been working since last May on this year's festival … it’s sort of like being hit in the face with a two by four.”

Gov. Ned Lamont signed an executive order Thursday banning gatherings of 250 people or more through April 30 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Daffodil Festival has attracted more than 50,000 people to Hubbard Park in recent years, including people from all over Connecticut and other states.

Mayor Kevin Scarpati said the governor's executive order essentially took the decision out of the city’s hands, leading to the early cancellation. Lamont’s prohibition will remain in effect until April 30 unless modified by another order, and violators could face criminal penalties.

Coon said it’s up to organizers whether to hold a makeup event after the statewide ban is lifted.

“I’d strongly suggest if they were to do anything, nothing until fall,” Coon said. “But it’s so up in the air right now, it’s not even worth speculating.”

The festival also includes a parade, music acts, fireworks, rides and food booths.

Zebora and other organizers will meet next week to discuss options. If possible, Zebora wants to hold a festival in late summer or early fall.

“The daffodil name would be there, but the flowers won’t be,” Zebora said. “The most important thing is that people get together.”

This will be the first year the festival has been canceled or postponed since it started in 1978.

“We’ve had rain, an ice storm, but it’s never been canceled,” Zebora said. “It’d be a shame to miss a year.”

mzabierek@record-journal.com203-317-2279Twitter: @MatthewZabierek