Kristen Beverage, President Chamber of Commerce We all have been looking forward to the 2021 Autumn Harvest Festival and Roadkill Cookoff as a celebration of the return to normal for our community. Unfortunately, the realities of the current state of COVID-19 and variant infections in Pocahontas County and the surrounding counties required us to re-evaluate the benefits and risks of having the festival this month. The Chamber of Commerce Board has been closely monitoring the infection levels for the area, CDC and West Virginia Department of Health guidelines for public events, and the status of other fall events in the area. After substantial deliberation, based on current available information, the Board determined the risks to the community from an event where we could not absolutely assure adequately controlled distancing and protections, was too much of a risk to proceed with this year’s event. This is a profound disappointment to the Board and Chamber members as well as to our great community of skilled craft vendors, highly creative cooks, local business supporters and, of course, the wonderful attendees who make this such a successful event. We have already started planning for the 2022 event, and we sincerely hope that you will be able to join us then and have what we hope will be the best Autumn Harvest Festival and RoadKill Cook-off ever. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact us at pocahontascountychamber@gmail.com We wish you the best of luck this fall and health and happiness for you and your families. We can’t wait to see you next year. Sincerely, Pocahontas County Chamber of Commerce Board
