A lot has changed since Friday’s Peace Arch News went to press on Wednesday afternoon.
The ongoing COVID-19 crisis is creating ripple effects around the globe and that, of course, includes Surrey and White Rock. And the situation continues to evolve rapidly.
On Thursday, the provincial government announced that gatherings of more than 250 people would be banned in B.C. That led to notices that events, both large and small, have been cancelled or postponed in order to help slow the spread of the virus.
Additionally, they recommend British Columbians not travel outside the country – this includes trips into the U.S.
Major sports leagues, including the NBA and NHL, have announced they are suspending their seasons, Disneyland has closed its gates until the end of the month and, locally, a number of major springtime events have been cancelled or put on hold. This growing list includes the popular Vaisakhi parade, which draws half a million people each year.
Notices have been coming in to PAN by phone and email, announcing the cancellation of different performances and events. Many of these events were included in recent editions of PAN.
The list so far:
• Friday, March 13 performance of White Rock Concerts subscription series at White Rock Baptist Church(originally to feature pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin) is cancelled; executive to monitor public health situation to determine if April 17 concert with the Montrose Trio will go ahead
• This Saturday’s (March 14) White Rock Singers concert has been cancelled
• Petunia and the Vipers concert scheduled for March 14 at Ocean Park Hall postponed. New date TBA
• Blue Frog Studios postponing all 16 concerts scheduled over a 30-day period (commencing Thursday, March 12) including concerts with Tiller’s Folly (March 14) and Kierah (March 15). New dates TBA; tickets already sold will be honoured
• Sources Run for the Roses Gala, originally scheduled for April 25, has been postponed until Nov. 7
• BC Hockey League playoffs, including Surrey Eagles’ series against Coquitlam is cancelled.
• All minor hockey playoffs and provincials in B.C.
• Cloverdale Flea Market closed until further notice
• Kent Street Centre seniors dances are cancelled
• The Rotary Club’s Annual Pancake Fundraiser for Food Bank, set for March 21, has been postponed until Sept. 19
• Earl Marriott Secondary/Semiahmoo First Nation Pow Wow, scheduled for April 3-5 has been cancelled, according to information posted on its Facebook page.
• The White Rock BIA has cancelled Vitality: Health & Wellness Expo, originally scheduled for April 5 at the White Rock Community Centre, due to public health guidelines around Covid-19.
Note: The BIA is not cancelling any other scheduled event at this time. They are continuing to monitor all public health guidelines and will decide on future events (including the 5 Corners Buskers & Comedy Festival, Summer Movie Nights, TD Concerts FOR the Pier, and White Rock Craft Beer Festival) as the situation develops.
Even if the event you were planning to attend is not included on this list, we recommend calling ahead to organizers to find out whether it is still going to happen.
If you’re an event organizer who is cancelling or postponing an event, let us know by emailing editorial@peacearchnews.com