Organizers make plans for biggest-ever event in 2021
IMLAY CITY — The unrelenting coronavirus has claimed yet another popular local community event.
The 2020 Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Weekend, scheduled for Sept. 11-13 at the Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds, has been canceled.
Event organizers officially announced the cancellation on Monday, August 3.
“The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to challenge our world, state, and local community and, unfortunately, prohibits us from producing the Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Weekend September 11-13, 2020 safely.”
Woods-N-Water Weekend Founder Randy Jorgensen said organizers had held out hope that the event could still take place for as long as they could.
“The cancellation of this year’s event is disappointing,” Jorgensen lamented. “We know you understand this action was deemed necessary to keep our attendees, exhibitors, staff, and community protected.”
Co-organizer Keil Jorgensen said the decision to cancel was very difficult and given every possible consideration.
“We had many conversations regarding the event and we took it very seriously,” Keil Jorgensen said. “As much as we wanted to host the event, our hands were tied.
“The show has been a celebration of our outdoor heritage for 33 years, and to have to cancel the 34th was extremely disappointing and saddening.”
Tom Campbell, Editor of the Woods-N-Water News and event co-organizer, is equally disappointed, but he focused on the importance of ensuring the public’s safety.
“It’s incredibly disappointing and frustrating to have to cancel the 34th Outdoor Weekend,” Campbell said.
“However, the safety and health of our attendees, exhibitors and staff are paramount to us; and moving forward with the COVID-19 rules and regulations and liability issues was impossible.
“Now, rather than dwell on the negative situation, we’ve made it our goal to make the 2021 Outdoor Weekend the best ever,” said Campbell.”
“We believe the enthusiasm and support for our 2021 Outdoor Weekend will be tremendous,” he said. “We are confident the demand for the 2021 show will be enormous and be an event that no one will not want to miss.”
Jorgensen said the September issue of Woods-N-Water News will include a listing of all exhibitors so regular showgoers can stay in touch and still purchase popular and needed products.
“Thank you for your understanding during these unprecedented times,” Jorgensen said.
“We remain confident for the 2021 Outdoor Weekend and our continued strong working partnership.”
He said anyone with questions or concerns should not hesitate contacting the Woods-N-Water News office at 810-724-0254 or wnw@pageone-inc.com.
Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
