This is the Fifty-Second article in a permanent column for Stroud Arts that appears in the Stroud American. The mission of these articles is to inform, educate and inspire you, the reader, to Make Art Happen in your life and the life of our community.
It is amazing how quickly things change. Just last week, in this
column, I wrote of the upcoming ‘Stroud Arts 2nd Annual Medieval Arts and Sciences Faire,’ and within 48 hours we saw a spike in the number of cases in Oklahoma and more importantly, Lincoln County.
The Stroud Arts Board then held an emergency meeting to discuss this development and to decide if we should move forward on preparations for the Faire, or should we cancel the event.
The discussion, appropriately held by text message, covered such items as; Cost to repair all games and Faire background set pieces, continued advertisement of the event, expansion of the performance site to accommodate additional interested vendors and then, the big topic… health considerations for our participants, their families and our guests and their families.
Interestingly, the issue of time needed to rehearse, gather costumes and props, build, paint, set up the Stages, tables, Games and Activities and then take down the Medieval Faire, thus restoring the park to its original condition barely entered the conversation.
As a Board, we devote the time, energy and funds needed and more when producing an event.
We consistently give our best to our community and ourselves and strive to make each event a quality experience!
That consideration of crafting a quality event was overshadowed, not by the event, but by the potential aftermath of the event.
As a Board, we did not want to put the health of anyone who attended or did not attend, yet came in contact with someone who did, and was exposed to Covid-19.
So, just as the Tulsa State Faire, The Oklahoma State Faire, The BA Chili Cook off and too many events to list, we have decided to cancel this year’s ‘Stroud Arts 2nd Annual Medieval Arts and Sciences Faire.’
We will be hosting our Annual Escape Room Events around Halloween, as these are by appointment only and for small groups.
I will provide more information as the date draws close.
For other events, I have heard that the Chamber of Commerce is still planning on hosting their ‘Trick or Treat on Main Street’ and the Christmas parade is still on the first Saturday in December. Hopefully these events will be held and we can enjoy the end of a tough year.
As for Stroud Arts, we will be producing our Fairy Tale Podcast with local voice actors, ages 12-Adult, performing the narration and characters.
We will be recording next week so I will give updates and information on how you can find the Podcast online.
We are still Making Art Happen!