Community Chat

[Kachina624]

I heard today that all summer rodeos have been cancelled, leaving thousands of cowboys and cowgirls unemployed.  How un-American!

All of these cancelled activities will have a huge negative financial impact on the communities that sponsor them.  Albuquerque depends heavily on the fiesta to balance the budget.

[debfau]

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@ECBG wrote:

I have lost all of my craft shows.  (October remains to be seen.).

I feel so for all of the crafters who put all of their money into gems and metals, or other supplies then can't sell!

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Not only have we lost craft shows, but Sugarloaf Craft Festivals is closing their doors after being in business for 45 years (they would hold several shows in VA/MD every year) - it was a great place to find unique gifts for people.

[Silver Lining]

@Kachina624, I'm so sorry about the Balloon Fiesta and now this. I feel sad and discouraged about the latest news.

[KarenQVC]

Art/Craft shows are cancelled in MI.  I don't think they were as busy the last few years.

[patbz]

I'm very sad to hear about the Balloon Festival, this is a big blow to community.  My son is chef at Steelbenders and I know they are always slammed during Fest Week.

[Kachina624]

@debfau   @KarenQVC   @ECBG    We've always had two really big arts and crafts here in Albuquerque that have gone on for years.  Both have folded apparently due to lack of financial backing.  I never gave much thought to what it takes to hold these event but apparently money plays a big part.

[SurferWife]

Whoa!  That's a shame.  That is an amazing sight!  When I lived there, I lived in Taylor Ranch & som many balloons would land around my house.

[hippiechick7897]

That must be a gorgeous and colorful sky! Sorry to hear it’s canceled this year.

[ECBG]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@debfau   @KarenQVC   @ECBG    We've always had two really big arts and crafts here in Albuquerque that have gone on for years.  Both have folded apparently due to lack of financial backing.  I never gave much thought to what it takes to hold these event but apparently money plays a big part.

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@Kachina624 I know a lot of true artists that you would call "masters" at their craft.  One of them has jewelry in the Smithsonian.  They can barely make ends meet, many life near the proverty level.

[SuhseK]

I'm in Spokane.  

We have 2 huge events here: Bloomsday, is an annual 12k run, held, the first Sunday, in May. It's the world's largest, fully timed road race, it attracts both world class runners, from around the world, and recreational runners, from all over. The run has attracted close to 60,000 runners, more recently, around 45,000.   The run has been re-scheduled, for September 20th. We'll see.  Currently, we're still seeing new Covid cases.  

Hoopfest is the worlds largest 3 on 3 basketball tournament. It basically takes over the downtown area. Between participants, volunteers, fans, and people just hanging out, soaking up the fun, you can easily have 100,000+ people, in the downtown area. It's held in June, has been re-scheduled for late August.  Again, we'll see.  

Both events are Huge moneymakers, for the city.  They also attract enormous crowds.  At this point, I'm dubious that either one, will actually happen.