Fair Haven: September Oktoberfest-FH Day Done for 2020

Sometimes, no matter how much organizers try, there just isn’t a season for every community event — especially in mid-2020 COVID-19 pandemic times.

Regardless of curve-flattening, outdoor dining opening and the prospect of open air at Fair Haven’s prospective combination Fair Haven Day–September Oktoberfest, the final edict of officials, decided last week, was that holding the event at Fair Haven Fields on Sept. 12 just posed too much of a COVID-19 infection risk.

“Cancelling Fair Haven Day earlier this year was a difficult but an easier decision since we were right in the heart of self-quarantine,” Fair Haven Borough Council President Susan Sorensen, also president of the Foundation of Fair Haven, the non-profit that raises funds for the events. “The committee really tried to come up with a creative way to be able to hold Oktoberfest. The Executive Order states we could have up to 500 people at an event outside, and we typically have over 2000 at Oktoberfest. We looked at limiting attendance by pre-sales only, having tables for social distancing and many other possible solutions.”

None of those solutions offered enough of a safe distancing guarantee. So, the committee cancelled the event. The events are going back to the original plan for 2021: separate Fair Haven Day in June and Oktoberfest in September.

Fair Haven Day was borne out of the borough’s centennial celebration. After a parade that year, residents gathered at Fair Haven Fields for a barbecue, fireworks and music to fete the borough’s 100 years. Residents wanted to see such a celebration turned into an annual event. So, the non-profit 501C3 Foundation of Fair Haven was created to raise funds for future Fair Haven Days.

The Oktoberfest was one of those fundraising events. Initially held in October, a la traditional Oktoberfests, the event was a nighttime fundraiser for adults only with a band, adult beverages, Bavarian-motif food and mood. Inclement October weather caused the committee to change the month, time and tenor of Oktoberfest. It was moved to daytime in September, welcomed families with children and hosted food trucks, vendors, bands and games.

The latest incarnation, due to COVID, was to be the combo.

“There was an amazing line up of bands with The Cliffs, Brian Kirk & the Jirks and The Moroccan Sheepherders, food trucks and brewers, firework company, who have all been very patient with the Committee as we truly tried to hold this event,” Sorensen said. “In the end, the challenge became how to keep everyone safe. So, onto working on Fair Haven Day & Oktoberfest 2021. Save the dates will be coming soon. Follow us on Facebook or on our website.

“The Fair Haven Day/Oktoberfest Committee hopes that everyone remains safe and mindful of the COVID guidelines, so that in June of 2021 we can all come together and celebrate our community with Fair Haven Day!” Sorensen concluded.

The volunteer committee: Betsy Koch, Jacquie Rice, Nicole Rice, Lauren Porter, Mike Borneo, Mark Mancuso, Marie Noglows, Adam Ludman, Mary Friedman, Allyson Cinquegrana , DJ Breckenridge and chair Susan Sorensen.

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