Cancelling clam fest was the wrong call
by Isabella Siegl-Flahive
April 7, 2021
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Yarmouth Clam Festival has been cancelled for summer 2021. The Yarmouth town officials met on February 8th and discussed the public health safety issues. As a result, the Yarmouth town officials decided to cancel the 2021 event meaning summer 2022 is the next time we can expect to experience Clam Fest again.
Personally I think that the cancellation of the Yarmouth Clam Festival was not the right call. There could have been other accommodations to still have the festival. Although there are still cases of Covid-19, many individuals have started to receive the vaccine due to Janet Mills' announcement. According to the State of Maine website, people over the age of fifty, and over the age of 16, can get their vaccine starting in April. As younger and older people receive their vaccines, there will be a lower percentage of people getting sick. The Bangor Daily News stated in a March 12th article that “More than 300,000 Mainers have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine after it was approved in mid-December.” As of now, 463,663 people in the state of Maine have received their first vaccination, and 601,215 people have been covered by doses ordered.
With many people getting the vaccine, by the time the Clam Festival would have come around this summer, covid won’t be as big a threat to people. With every Clam Festival, it takes months prior to plan. I understand that this uncertainty might mean the festival would not be able to host the bigger events, but there could still be numerous games and shows that can be safe for the community to engage in.
As a senior at Yarmouth High School, I brought it upon myself to ask my fellow peers whether the Clam Festival should have been fully cancelled this year. I began with a series of questions and asked fellow seniors Kate Siegel and Bridget Adams to share their opinions. Kate and Bridget have both been vaccinated and are eager to enjoy their senior summer.
Kate stated that she would attend the festival if it was still taking place this summer, saying “I would, but only because I will be vaccinated.” Bridget echoed Kate yet with a bit more caution: “Maybe depending if it’s safe or not.”
I believe by taking cautious measures, such as wearing masks and socially distancing, the Clam Festival should be able to promote certain activities. Activities could consist of art galleries that only allow a certain amount of people to attend, a socially-distanced parade, as well as online zoom contests. It is a loss to many of the groups who participate in the festival because the festival supports over thirty local nonprofit groups such as the Yarmouth Playmakers, the Yarmouth Lions Club, Yarmouth Volleyball Boosters, and many more. According to the Portland Press Herald, every year the Festival generates $200,000 to $400,000 for local non-profit groups. As a student who plays on the Yarmouth volleyball team, I know that this has enabled us to go on fun trips and receive important merchandise. By providing art shows and a variety of activities, it would still allow the community of Yarmouth to raise some money for local non-profit groups and come together during this challenging time.
As of now, applications for the 2022 Yarmouth Clam Festival are available. With more applications being filled out, it shows that many people in the community are eager to have and be a part of the festival, further demonstratingthat there should still have been an opportunity for this this summer. Overall, I strongly feel that the town of Yarmouth should still host the festival. Even if that means that there is still a limited amount of entertainment, I believe that by taking the proper precautions and socially distancing, the town of Yarmouth can still enjoy an aspect of the festival, instead of not having one at all!
April 7, 2021
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Yarmouth Clam Festival has been cancelled for summer 2021. The Yarmouth town officials met on February 8th and discussed the public health safety issues. As a result, the Yarmouth town officials decided to cancel the 2021 event meaning summer 2022 is the next time we can expect to experience Clam Fest again.
Personally I think that the cancellation of the Yarmouth Clam Festival was not the right call. There could have been other accommodations to still have the festival. Although there are still cases of Covid-19, many individuals have started to receive the vaccine due to Janet Mills' announcement. According to the State of Maine website, people over the age of fifty, and over the age of 16, can get their vaccine starting in April. As younger and older people receive their vaccines, there will be a lower percentage of people getting sick. The Bangor Daily News stated in a March 12th article that “More than 300,000 Mainers have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine after it was approved in mid-December.” As of now, 463,663 people in the state of Maine have received their first vaccination, and 601,215 people have been covered by doses ordered.
With many people getting the vaccine, by the time the Clam Festival would have come around this summer, covid won’t be as big a threat to people. With every Clam Festival, it takes months prior to plan. I understand that this uncertainty might mean the festival would not be able to host the bigger events, but there could still be numerous games and shows that can be safe for the community to engage in.
As a senior at Yarmouth High School, I brought it upon myself to ask my fellow peers whether the Clam Festival should have been fully cancelled this year. I began with a series of questions and asked fellow seniors Kate Siegel and Bridget Adams to share their opinions. Kate and Bridget have both been vaccinated and are eager to enjoy their senior summer.
Kate stated that she would attend the festival if it was still taking place this summer, saying “I would, but only because I will be vaccinated.” Bridget echoed Kate yet with a bit more caution: “Maybe depending if it’s safe or not.”
I believe by taking cautious measures, such as wearing masks and socially distancing, the Clam Festival should be able to promote certain activities. Activities could consist of art galleries that only allow a certain amount of people to attend, a socially-distanced parade, as well as online zoom contests. It is a loss to many of the groups who participate in the festival because the festival supports over thirty local nonprofit groups such as the Yarmouth Playmakers, the Yarmouth Lions Club, Yarmouth Volleyball Boosters, and many more. According to the Portland Press Herald, every year the Festival generates $200,000 to $400,000 for local non-profit groups. As a student who plays on the Yarmouth volleyball team, I know that this has enabled us to go on fun trips and receive important merchandise. By providing art shows and a variety of activities, it would still allow the community of Yarmouth to raise some money for local non-profit groups and come together during this challenging time.
As of now, applications for the 2022 Yarmouth Clam Festival are available. With more applications being filled out, it shows that many people in the community are eager to have and be a part of the festival, further demonstratingthat there should still have been an opportunity for this this summer. Overall, I strongly feel that the town of Yarmouth should still host the festival. Even if that means that there is still a limited amount of entertainment, I believe that by taking the proper precautions and socially distancing, the town of Yarmouth can still enjoy an aspect of the festival, instead of not having one at all!