Faversham Hop Festival and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

For infectious diseases such as the flu and the common cold, public gatherings like Faversham Hop Festival are seen as super spreader events by the authorities.



However, unlike the flu and the common cold, there is no vaccine for COVID-19 and the possibility of one being available by the time our event normally runs is not guaranteed.



Whilst many people will be inconvenienced by the virus, for some COVID-19 is life threatening.



We could wait to see how things play out, but financially a late cancellation is more than an inconvenience to the stall holders and local business owners relying on the income the festival brings to them. Additionally, lack of surety over the footfall we could attract, even if everything miraculously clears up in time, means we won’t have the investment to continue with planning. The festival company itself, as a non-profit, has no reserves and there is no likelihood of financial support from local businesses, or local government who will be suffering in this environment.



Additionally, with the latest Government instructions, it has now become impossible to continue planning effectively for this year’s festival without breaking these rules or putting members of the team at risk.



Therefore we have decided to err on the side of caution and postpone our festival until next year - for many reasons, we feel it’s simply the right thing to do.



We very much hope to return in 2021 to bring this wonderful event back to the town and resume the tradition that these extraordinary events have interrupted. For now, stay safe, stay home and healthy and the happy times we have here in Faversham will return.