PORT ANGELES — The 38th annual Clallam County Home & Lifestyle Show has been canceled because of concerns about COVID-19.
The popular two-day gathering has attracted between 10,000 to 15,000 people in the past. About 128 vendors were registered to show goods and services for this year’s show on Saturday and Sunday at the Port Angeles High School.
“At this point, we are calling it a postponement,” said Brown Maloney, owner of Radio Pacific, the station’s parent company, “in that we remain uncertain as to when the situation will change such that we may be able to present the show again.”
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Vendors began canceling on Wednesday, said Sue Ellen Riesau, business manager of KONP Radio, which puts on the home show along with presenting sponsor Clallam County Public Utility District.
At least 12 and perhaps more canceled.
The decision to cancel the show was a difficult one, Maloney said in a press release issued Thursday.
“We have been in touch with local hospital executives, the county health officer and just as importantly, Home Show vendors,” Maloney said.
“Please understand the level of concern over the coronavirus both locally and regionally is so high that cancelling the Home Show this weekend is the right thing to do.”
Special preparations had been made for the show that included several hand sanitizer stations and frequent disinfecting of door knobs, handles and restrooms.
That was in addition to the usual preparations, such as free shuttle bus service provided by the Port Angeles Senior Center from the lower parking lots at Port Angeles High School, free parking provided by Olympic Kiwanis Club members and a Kiwanis Club of Port Angeles concession stand.
Also, First Federal had sponsored a nonprofit corner consisting of booths from Captain Joseph House, Clallam Conservation District, Olympic Alpaca Rescue, Pennies for Quarters, Port Angeles High School Choir Boosters, Peninsula Trails Coalition, Salvation Army and Soroptimists.
Hartnagel Building Supply, Angeles Millwork and Lumber Co., and Leitz Farm Supply also were sponsors.
In the end, not holding the show “was the right thing to do,” Riesau said.
Maloney emphasized that the show would be only postponed.
“The show is a very important economic catalyst for our area,” he said. “It is our responsibility to see it happen once again when the time is appropriate.”
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Executive Editor Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3530 or at [email protected].