For the first time in 80 years, the Royal St. John’s Regatta has been cancelled.
Committee President Bradley Power made the announcement this morning on social media.
Power says they are in full agreement with the public health directives set forth by the provincial government. He continues that while cancelling the event is disappointing; the health and safety of all stakeholders must take precedence.
The Regatta is probably the biggest single gathering in the province with between 30-50,000 people showing up at Quidi Vidi Lake for the first Wednesday in August.
Power says, unfortunately, this will impact the community.
He says sometimes for many charities or non-profits, this is their biggest fundraiser for the year. Power says the committee feels bad but in the interest of public safety, they had no choice.
Mayor Danny Breen says they are looking at other municipalities in the region to see when they take the civic holiday.
Breen will be looking at whether to align with them or to keep the holiday on the first Wednesday in August.
Power notes similar announcements will soon be made on the Harbour Grace, Humber Valley and Placentia Regattas.
