During the first board meeting of 2020 this past Thursday, the Kinzua Bridge Foundation voted against holding the annual Kinzua Bridge State Park Fall Festival, which was scheduled for Sept. 19 and 20.

In a press release, board president, Mary Ann Burggraf said the event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, for the safety of the thousands of people who are drawn to the popular festival.

During the Thursday meeting, many festival organizers believed this to be the first time the festival has been cancelled, though Burggraf noted this is not the case. After she and Debbie Lunden, secretary/vice-president checked past meeting minutes, they found that this is actually the fifth time the foundation has had to cancel the festival since it was founded 27 years ago.

The first cancellation was in 2003 after the bridge fell victim to a tornado that practically destroyed the entire structure. In addition, the festival was not held in 2009 due to the construction of the Kinzua Sky Walk, while the construction of the new visitors center caused a third and fourth cancellation in the fall of 2014 and 2015.

Burggraf is confident the cancellation will not lead to any long-term issues, stating “we’ve survived four previous cancellations and we will get through this fifth one just as the other festivals will, as ‘we are all in this together.’”

For those interested in visiting Kinzua Bridge State Park, here is a list of openings and restrictions.

Trails, restrooms, park offices are open and pavilions are now accepting reservations. Masks are required to be worn in park offices and any other indoor public space. In addition, visitors are asked to follow social distancing mitigation measures.

The PA Wilds Conservation Shop reopened June 4, according to the shop’s website.

Visitor center exhibit halls are expected to open June 26 in Pennsylvania state parks.