FAIRMONT — Interlaken Heritage Days 2020 has become the latest victim of COVID-19.

The annual Fairmont celebration, scheduled from June 12-14, will not take place this year.

“It was a hugely disappointing decision to have to make,” said Laura Dunker, IHD board member. “It was a hard decision, and we waited as long as we could. Unfortunately, the circumstances were not in our favor this year.”

At the end of March, the board began considering the possibility of postponing the celebration to 2021. They started to explore other options for the celebration, but when a festival is based on bringing people together, trying to incorporate social distancing is a futile effort.

“Last year, we had over 400 people at the community meal on Friday. There were over 1,000 people at Heritage Acres on Saturday. How do you serve food and social distance and make sure everybody’s safe? There’s no way to get crowds like that and social distance,” Dunker said.

With deadlines to secure vendors and entertainment approaching, the board made the heart-wrenching decision to push the celebration to next year.

“We’ll save up for next year. We’ll bring things back. Hopefully, we’re all healthy and ready for a party,” Dunker said.

The IHD committee holds a series of fundraisers throughout the year, continuously raising money to finance the celebration. The pandemic already had forced the cancellation of IHD’s spring vendor show and this summer’s Holy Hotdish events, both solid fundraisers for the group.

“Whatever the sponsors donated this year is going to be put towards next year. Whatever we haven’t paid out or any deposits we get back will be put towards next year,” Dunker said.

“Given the impact that this (COVID-19) has had on local businesses, which are huge donors for us, it’s probably going to affect us well into next year,” she said. “We want everybody to make sure they are supporting our local businesses. They’re the ones who help support us and bring this celebration to the community.”

Only six people handle the enormous task of organizing Interlaken Heritage Days. Dunker; Marlys Brummond, chairman; Corey Walter, vice chairman; Rachel Greeley, secretary/treasurer; Velma Schaal; board member; and Jodi Martin, committee member.

“We’re always looking for people to join us. It’s a process, but it’s fun,” Dunker said. “When you see people come out and enjoy what you’ve helped put together, that’s what makes it worth it.”

For more information, contact Dunker at (507) 848-4664 or Brummond at (507) 236-3841.