BY CHRISTINE LEE

POTTSVILLE — The coronavirus pandemic has meant two wintertime events in and around the city won’t happen this year.

The annual History Faire, hosted by the Schuylkill County Coalition of Historical Societies and Museums, has been canceled, while Winterfest, organized by the Pottsville Area Development Corp., wasn’t scheduled for 2021.

The faire was slated for Saturday, Feb. 13. The event, which takes place on the second Saturday in February in the Fairlane Village mall in East Norwegian Township, is an event in which county historical societies and museums set up displays related to their respective organizations.

Schuylkill County Historical Society Executive Director Diana Prosymchak said the event typically brings a large crowd that is in close contact as they peruse the displays. Many of the visitors are also older.

“We didn’t want to take any chances,” Prosymchak said.

It is scheduled to take place in 2021.

JACQUELINE DORMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERBlake Hobbs, 4, of Pottsville plays in the snow activity area at Pottsville Winterfest on South Second Street in downtown Pottsville on Feb. 8, 2020.

 

PADCO Executive Director Savas Logothetides said that he didn’t think a date was set for this year’s Winterfest, which would have been its third year taking place in downtown Pottsville.

“Obviously with the ongoing pandemic and restrictions on outdoor gatherings, we decided it was responsible and safe not to have the event this year,” he said.

Taking place on South Second Street between Market and Mahantongo streets, Winterfest features vendors, bands, food and an area with snow for children to play in.

It coincides with the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival, which was canceled this year.

Logothetides said organizers are looking forward to continuing the event next year “as long as it is safe to do so.”

Winterfest and the History Faire were held last February before the pandemic shut down businesses and in-person learning at schools, and forced the cancellation of many county events and activities.

Contact the writer: clee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028