The organizers of the Maine Potato Blossom Festival, held in the town of Fort Fairfield, recently announced that they have canceled the 2020 festival because of concerns related to the coronavirus situation.

According to thecounty.me, the town chose to cancel after consulting with Fort Fairfield Police Chief Shawn Newell and the office of Maine Gov. Janet Mills, according to a statement from Fort Fairfield Town Manager Andrea Powers, because of the risk the gathering could bring to attendees. The event, which brings in an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 people every year, had been scheduled for July 11-19.

It was “heartbreaking” to cancel an event that is a County staple and that organizers have worked on since October, said Potato Blossom Festival Director Cheryl Boulier.

“Like everybody else, we love the festival, but we had to think about the well-being of the public,” Boulier said.

It is the first time the festival has been canceled in its 70-plus-year history. While the public will not be able to experience the festival the same as in years past, organizers are currently brainstorming ideas for potentially holding festival events using social distancing guidelines during the July 11-19 timeframe.

The Potato Blossom Festival is a Fort Fairfield tradition that brings visitors from far outside Aroostook County — including other parts of Maine, elsewhere in the United States and Canada. With a parade that is among the largest in Maine and numerous involved vendors and businesses, the festival is a staple for County culture and an integral part of its economy.

“We do all of these events to bring people to our area and showcase our area, but people’s well being is more important than our self-appreciation,” Boulier said.