COVID-19 VIRUS Cancellation of Folklore Festival 2020

DATE: March 14, 2020



RELEASE: Immediately



FROM: Jim Squier, Chair, Folklore Festival 2020



CONTACT: Jeanetty Jumah Chair, Sponsorship and Promotion, Folklore Festival 2020 jjumah@gmail.com



SUBJECT: Folklore Festival 2020 Cancellation





Unfortunately Folklore Festival 2020 is being cancelled by the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association and

the Folklore Festival Organizing Committee for the safety of all Folklore Festival visitors, performers, vendors,

volunteers, participants, and most importantly for the potential health risks such a large event may bring to

our communities based on the advice provided by the Federal, Provincial, and Local governments and Health Departments

regarding the COVID-19 Outbreak in Canada.





We thank everyone involved for the hard work they have put into planning this popular Annual Festival that

celebrates the rich cultural diversity of Canada. Given the concerns expressed we need to consider the health and

safety of all people involved and those in our communities and put them first ahead of this Folklore Festival that

we have been dedicated to for 47 years.





Plans begin today for Folklore Festival 2021 when we can once again bring to our communities the opportunities

to experience the magnificent sights, sounds and flavours woven into the fabric of our country by our various ethnocultural

and Aboriginal communities.





Jim Squier, President, Thunder Bay Multicultural Association



Chair, Folklore Festival 2020

