Apr 30, 2009 5:54 pm US/Central
Mayfest Canceled Due To Swine Flu Concern
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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A woman puts on a face mask to protect herself from swine flu before crossing the international border between U.S. and Mexico in San Ysidro, Calif., on April 27, 2009. WHO raised its flu pandemic alert level from three to four.
Jewel Samad/Getty Images
Organizers of Fort Worth's Mayfest, which opened today, have canceled the annual festival.
A statement on the Mayfest Website by the Director of Parks and Community Department, Richard Zavala, says "The Tarrant County Health Department, in the interest of public health and safety, has declared that all outdoor public gatherings must be cancelled."
Tarrant County Health Department made the call to cancel around noon Thursday.
Organizers say they were hoping swine flu wouldn't affect the festival, but once they got the order there was nothing they could do.
"Mayfest is very interested in protecting our festival patrons and we were prepared to do that," said Elizabeth Basham with Mayfest. "However, we do take our direction from the Tarrant County Health Department and from the city who we lease the park from."
As many as 200,000 people were expected to attend the festival.
The Trinity Park event brings in different art booths, vendors and entertainment.
Festival participants told CBS 11 News that they are disappointed with the shutdown and many said the event is a big part of their livelihood. "I'm losing a lot of money and money for the people that work for me. It's a loss all the way around," explained vendor Jerry Busby. "Loss for the City of Fort Worth and the commissions that they make off of it."
The event closure means not only a loss of money, but to as well. "Very disappointed obviously. It takes about 12 hours to set up. We were set up and now we are not," said vendor Donna McCoy.
"It's going to hurt us no doubt about it," said Don Deering. His family came to North Texas from Minnesota to sell their famous chocolate chip cookies. "We came a long way and did a lot of events in Texas and we still have a lot to do and now I'm concerned about other events canceling," Deering explained.
Some vendors say they were really hoping organizers would reconsider so they could come back. "I do really well at these festivals so it does affect me," explained William Stidham. The artist just got into town about 2:00 o'clock and had to turn back around. "I drove all the way up here, had all my stuff in my van, and they say no Mayfest," Stidham said disappointed.
The festival is expected to lose some $500,000. That's money that would have gone to vendors and three non-profit organizations.
Right now it isn't clear if the vendors will receive refunds. Organizers will hold a board meeting next week to address that issue and others.
This year would have marked the 37th annual Mayfest.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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