Organizers of the Mitchell Fun Days have decided to cancel this year's event.

Committee member Brian Esau says with COVID-19 restrictions only getting tighter, holding a community festival in July does not seem possible.

"It's very disappointing because we had to cancel last year and we wanted to come back with a bigger and better festival this year," says Esau. "But once again with the COVID-19 restrictions, it's just not possible."

According to Esau, as recently as last month the committee had hoped to still hold the event this summer. But, then a new public health order came into effect on May 9th. As a result, group sizes of no more than five people are permitted at an outdoor public place. And that was pretty much the last straw.

"Our biggest thing is that we draw up to seven hundred people for breakfast and we just can not social distance," explains Esau. "And so therefore we've made our decision to cancel it."

Esau says he thinks residents of Mitchell will be very disappointed.

"It was a highlight for the community, especially the barbeque in the evening and the fireworks and the bands," notes Esau. "So it will be very disappointing."

It remains to be seen what two summers of cancelled festivals will mean for the community of Mitchell. Is two years enough time for people to start new traditions and no longer miss the annual festival, or, does it just make the community that much more hungry for crowds and entertainment?

"Our committee is very committed and they are committed to coming back next year and trying to put on a bigger and better show than we had," assures Esau. "We hope that next year we can come back."

Meanwhile, the Landmark Friendship Festival, planned for August has also been called off.

Landmark Friendship Festival in 2019