KINGWOOD, W.Va. — The organizers of the Buckwheat Festival say there is no way the event can take place this year because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The number of positive cases in Preston County has increased due to community spread as well as increased travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, which has become a hot spot for the virus.
Local health officials said 150 people are in the contact tracing program.
Buckwheat Festival Chairperson Buddy Turner said the committee considered every possibility before announcing the event’s cancellation last week.
“We looked at modified festivals that we thought would comply with the guidelines, a lot went into this decision-making process,” he said.
Focus is now on the 2021 event; Turner said the event will be a “great success.”
Royalty from this year’s festival will have roles in community events until next year’s event; Ryan Wilson is this year’s king while Gabrielle Wolfe is its queen.
“We look forward to being able to do some things with them this year,” Turner said.