RUSSELL – The Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association has decided to cancel the Ottawa Valley Farm Show in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. A statement from the organizers reads: “After a risk assessment as recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the executive came to the difficult but unanimous decision to cancel the show, with full support of the board of directors.”
The show was scheduled for March 17 to 19 in Ottawa. OVSGA states its top priority is the health and safety of exhibitors, visitors, volunteers, directors, and the community at large.
The decision comes after the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario, Dr. David Williams, advised that gatherings of more than 1,000 people be cancelled or postponed. The cancellation of the Ottawa Valley Farm Show follows the cancellation of many other events and gatherings locally and across the nation.
“We are currently developing a strategy to manage the impact this decision has on our exhibitors, visitors, vendors, and volunteers,” the OVSGA statement says. “We have not made this decision lightly, as we have valued and longstanding commitments and relationships. We do believe that this is the correct course of action given global public health implications at this time.” The 2021 Ottawa Valley Farm Show will be held March 9 to 11.
