ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Two upcoming Annapolis sailboat shows were canceled on Thursday.
The iconic event was scheduled to celebrate its 51st anniversary from October 1 through 4 and October 8 through 12, during the Columbus Day holiday.
As recently as May, organizers said the show would still go on.
RELATED: United States Powerboat Show returns to Annapolis in October
“It is a blow to the City and will be additional stress on local businesses. But we can’t be the epicenter of a COVID-19 outbreak. It’s that simple,” said City Manager David Jarrell.
City officials say the shows bring nearly half a million dollars in revenue to Annapolis along with tens of thousands of visitors.
Local businesses benefit more than $112 million from the shows, organizers say.
“This was a hard call. No one wanted to have boat shows in Annapolis more than I did,” said Mayor Gavin Buckley.
The show hopes to return in the Fall of 2021.
