Updated March 14, 1:13 p.m.–
Sentinel staff report– The annual Spring Carnival in Citrus Heights was cancelled at the last minute on Friday over coronavirus concerns, reversing a decision the day before that the carnival would still take place.
Harry Mason, head of Brass Ring Amusements, had confirmed Thursday morning that the carnival still had plans to open this weekend, noting the event generally doesn’t have more than 100 people at a time. By Friday afternoon, however, the amusement company posted on its “Midway of Fund “carnival Facebook page that all events are cancelled until April.
“The Health and well-being of our guests and employees are very important to us and top priority. All events postponed until April as of now,” the post said.
The Governor’s Office on Wednesday said events with 250 people or more should be cancelled or rescheduled, leading to event cancellations in Citrus Heights and across the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says mitigation efforts like social distancing are an effective strategy in the absence of a coronavirus vaccine, and also help protect the healthcare infrastructure from becoming overburdened.
Brass Ring Amusements has put on its spring and fall carnivals in Citrus Heights each year and also brings its travelling carnivals to various county fairs and events across the state. The company’s website, midwayoffun.com, says the group has been providing carnival amusement since 1991.
