In light of recent events resulting from the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Doylestown Arts Festival has extended its artist application deadline to May 15.
The 29th annual festival is scheduled for Sept. 12 and 13, and organizers are still considering whether it can go forward on the streets of Doylestown Borough, or whether to turn it into a virtual event.
The application deadline for artists will not be extended beyond May 15, the organizing committee said via email.
For the last 28 years, the festival has helped artists and local businesses to grow and thrive. Likewise, to the tens of thousands who have come to love attending the event, it is a time for the community to come together in celebration and a love of the arts.
Given current events, the festival’s volunteer committee has been hard at work behind the scenes redesigning the event and creating contingency plans for its contingency plans.
Following the committee’s last meeting, it agreed to move ahead with plans for a physical or virtual event. At this time, it is not certain which direction it will go and the committee will, of course, follow the guidance provided by health and government officials to ensure a safe experience for the community.
The committee plans to make a decision by Aug. 1, at the latest, on whether the physical event has to be canceled for public safety. It has put in place new policies for artists and vendors to cover the possible outcomes.
A physical event would likely be a very different scene than the 2019 festival. Things will need to be spaced out, new safety policies put in place, and contact reduced where possible. Details would be made available to everyone well in advance.
In the event that a physical event cannot be held, the festival organizers will refund 100% of artist booth fees. The only fee it cannot refund is the jury fee. Those funds cover the festival’s fixed costs and will ensure the festival is financially able to return in 2021.
If the physical festival cannot be held, organizers are planning to conduct a series of promotions and virtual efforts to drive awareness, sales and community connections to all of the artists, vendors and sponsors.
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