A two-day celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in the Methow Valley has been postponed due to concerns about coronavirus.
The events, scheduled for April 17 and 18, included a march through Twisp, a climate symposium, Northwest youth climate activists panel, public art, food trucks and beer garden at TwispWorks, and musical performances by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez and Son Luna Y Jovenes Zapateadores. The activities are now on hold, according to event organizers at the Methow Valley Citizens Council and Methow Arts.
Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement banning gatherings of more than 250 people prompted event organizers to postpone the event.
Planning for the Earth Day celebration was well underway. The two musical performances that had been scheduled, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez and Son Luna Y Jovenes Zapateadores, have been canceled, and Methow Arts is still in negotiations with the two acts’ managers discussing reimbursements.
Methow Arts had secured and paid for a $4,000 travel visa for the dance -and-music ensemble Son Luna Y Jovenes Zaoateadroes (who are from Veracruz, Mexico) which will not be refunded. The visa also covered a tour, organized by Methow Arts, that would have taken the band to seven Okanogan County schools.