Balloons Over Bend, Bend Elks season canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Two more staples of summer on the High Desert -- Balloons Over Bend and the Bend Elks baseball season -- announced Friday they have scrubbed this year's planned events due to COVID-19 and the latest state guidance against large gatherings.
Here's the Balloons Over Bend announcement on their Facebook page:
"In light of Governor Brown’s direction canceling large events through September, we are forced to cancel the 2020 Balloons Over Bend.
"We look forward to this magical display every year, along with the playful and educational festival for children in support of Saving Grace, however, it will have to wait for a time when it is safe to do so.
"We apologize for the delay in announcing, but we wanted to be certain there was no path forward.
" Thank you to our incredible sponsors who help us bring this unique and joyful event to our community. And thank you to our community for your continued support of Bend’s culture, as well as our families and critical nonprofits. We look forward to seeing you all soon."
Meanwhile, the Bend Elks posted this announcement on their website:
"This year we are facing one of the largest challenges our community has experienced with the Covid-19 crisis. We have dealt with uncertainty, loneliness, and extraordinary loss. At the same time, it has been heartwarming to watch our Central Oregon community come together so strong to support each other and our neighbors in ways never seen before.
"The Bend Elks were hopeful we would be part of the transition back to normalcy for Central Oregon and the baseball community. However, based on Governor Kate Brown’s current plans for reopening Oregon, which includes a ban on all live sporting events through September, the Bend Elks have been forced to cancel the 2020 season. We appreciate the governor’s office, Deschutes County, and the City of Bend’s concern for our community’s health and safety. We thank them for their guidance and decision making during this unsteady time.
"We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, host families, season ticket holders, players, coaches, fans, and everyone in the Central Oregon community who have supported us the past 20 years and had planned to join us this summer as well. While extremely disappointed the season has been cancelled, we are looking forward with excitement and optimism to the return of the Bend Elks at Vince Genna Stadium in summer 2021. Current sponsors and season ticket holders will be contacted directly with options for purchases from this year.
"We still plan to host our Bend Elks summer camps through Bend Parks and Recreation and our Bend Bucks summer camp. These will be conducted following all state and local safety guidelines that are in place at the time to ensure a healthy environment while still providing important recreational opportunities for our youth. You can go to www.BendElks.com to register for the summer camps now. As more details of the states reopening emerges, we will continue to look for possible ways to have baseball and other events at Vince Genna Stadium this summer. The Bend Elks remain committed to providing Central Oregon with a vibrant sports community center, family friendly entertainment, and baseball development opportunities.
"For further information, please see our COVID-19 FAQ page or contact us directly through our contact us page.
"The Bend Elks on field experience will be back better than ever in 2021!"
