Deer Festival Is Canceled
The Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce (COC) Board of Directors voted on Haunticello, Deer Festival and Deer Dash 5K at a called meeting Tuesday, after a meeting of county stakeholders last week.
The outcome of the votes is as follows: Haunticello will be a drive-through event this year. Locations and maps will be announced and more information will come out to the public.
Deer Festival is canceled moving forward to next year’s on November 6, 2021. The Deer Dash 5K will be held virtually with more information to come.
The Chamber Board of Directors understands this is not ideal for the community. This does keep our families safe and that is the main concern at this time.
The Board of Directors appreciates the community understanding this decision that wasn’t made easily.
COC Executive Director Mandi Tanner met with community front line essential workers and community leaders to discuss the upcoming community wide events.
Stakeholders that were in attendance were Department of Public Health, Jasper County Sheriff Office, Jasper County Fire Chief, Jasper County Health Services Administrator, Mayor Pro-Tem, Bulldog Gym and Deer Dash Organizer, Venture Medical Associates, Board of Commissioners Chair, Artisans from Market on the Square and Deer Festival.
The round table discussions were professional and heartfelt. First and foremost, the safety of the students and families was the main concern during the conversation. The community is agreeance that keeping our students and families safe is the priority for the upcoming events.
The Jasper County Health Services is focusing on keeping staff safe and testing frequently. The drive through testing site is testing at least 60 people a day with the rapid testing.The focus was on keeping the spread in Jasper County in order to open up The Retreat Nursing Home for families to hug their loved ones they haven’t been able to touch since February. At the time of the meeting, there were no COVID-19 cases in the nursing home.
Since the meeting, two confirmed staff members and two residents have COVID-19. The hospital is doing everything it can to keep the staff and residents safe. Holding large events that bring in large numbers of people from neighboring counties and people across the state puts Jasper County at a high risk of having a spike in COVID-19 numbers. Jasper County has lost important leaders of our community due to COVID-19. The spread of COVID-19 is lowering in our county due to the precautions the businesses, school systems, hospital and doctor offices have set in place.
After hearing that if any of the front line workers (Fire/EMS/Officers/hospital employees) were to get a positive COVID-19 test, the entire task force would be effected, made the board really ask themselves if they are willing to hold this festival. The events were put to a vote individually.
