On Tuesday, July 21, following a special called meeting with the Barren River District Health Department to discuss alternate plans for the 2020 Logan County Tobacco & Heritage Festival, the Logan County Chamber Board of Directors announced that all in-person events for this year have been cancelled.

After months of watching the COVID numbers rise, large events being cancelled all around us, and doing our best to come up with alternate plans to meet the state’s “Healthy at Work” regulations, we have come to the conclusion that there is no feasible way to conduct this event and follow state regulations.

This will be the first Tobacco Festival cancellation since World War II, as it has continued uninterrupted since 1957.

We would like to thank our Festival Committee for all the work they have already put in to this year’s events. The Chamber and its volunteers would like to honor the tradition and history of our Festival and our community by presenting photos, old & new, in a video and on social media! If you have photos or a short video you would like to share, please email to karen.logan@loganchamber.com or you can reach out to us by calling (270) 726-2206.

2020 Chamber President Leann Martin said:

“The Chamber Board took all matters into consideration prior to making the final decision to cancel the in-person Festival events. Out of concern for the health and well-being of all our community members, the board came to the very difficult decision. We will continue to work to promote and develop strong vibrant businesses in hopes of maintaining the best quality of life for all of Logan County during this time of uncertainty. Thank you for your understanding and your continued support.”

From my perspective as Executive Director:

Just a few short months ago, we never would have guessed we would be facing the decisions that have been on our table this year. I want to say how proud I am of our board. Serving on a board and making decisions that will affect our community is not always easy. Based on the best information given and with the Health Department here to guide us, they made that hard decision, in the best interest of our people.

Although we are so sad to have to make this announcement, we will be back next year, ready to gather with those we love, and come back to the reunion we all remember, on Festival Day 2021. I look forward to seeing you all soon!