54th Apple Butter Makin’ Days Canceled

After much deliberation, committee concedes to safety for Mt. Vernon, Lawrence County
 
In an afternoon meeting Monday, Aug. 10, Mt. Vernon’s Apple Butter Makin’ Days Committee voted to cancel the event for 2020 due to the pandemic.
Citing the safety of everyone involved, Chairman Mike Tebow said the annual festival—a fall centerpiece for Mt. Vernon—needed to be postponed until next year.
“It comes down to keeping the students safe, the community safe,” Tebow said. “It just comes down to public health, not just for Mt. Vernon but for the whole county.”
Adding to the challenges was Mt. Vernon School District likely prohibiting students from participating in vendor booths or performances during the three-day festival.
Tebow said there are potential plans in the works for apple butter to still be sold on the square that weekend, Oct. 9-11, but not in an official capacity.
Assuming COVID-19 declines by this time next year, Tebow expects a full return of Apple Butter Makin’ Days in 2021.
Mt. Vernon School District was likely out of festival
A statement from the Mt. Vernon School District confirmed the expected participation restriction.
“No decision had been made, of course, and likely would not have been made until closer to ABMD,” a release from the district said. “But we communicated that if the situation involving COVID-19 had not improved by October, then we would likely have not wanted to set up a scenario where our students would have to be on the Square as part of a required activity.
 The statement added that the district would’ve only curbed the school’s activities at the festival.
“We have no control over what students do outside of their school groups. We would not have been able to forbid them from attending with their family or working for their church group, etc... and would not in any way have tried to dissuade individual families from making a choice.”
Chamber, crafters take a hit
Mt. Vernon Area Chamber of Commerce Director Pam Dudley was disappointed in the decision but understands and supports the committee.
“Taking into consideration the health of our community outweighs any financial gain we could hope to expect,” Dudley said. “It’s a crushing blow to the local economy as many non-profit groups benefit from the enormous influx of funds received during the event. We are hopeful that each and every one can find other resources for the coming year and we plan to be back for the 2021 festival better than ever.”
Dudley added that the crafters were also on her mind following the cancellation.
“As for the crafters, they also have been dealt a devastating hand as most events have canceled. Many are self-employed and do not qualify for any current government programs to recoup losses. We are hopeful for a return to some normalcy for all of us sooner rather than later.”