Pioneer Days Cancelled

Mountain View’s annual fall festival, “Pioneer Days,” is the latest event to be cancelled due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. In a release, the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce announced the decision with a “Heavy, Heavy Heart,” explaining, “We understand that this may be a huge disappointment to many in our community...However, in this time of uncertainty we feel the most responsible decision is to follow the guidelines that have been set forth. Additionally, these events are funded through generous sponsorship from our business community. Due to the economic impact many have felt, we did not feel it was appropriate to make funding requests at this time.”

The Chamber of Commerce did not respond to a request for further comment. 

Mountain View Mayor Donnie Pruett confirmed in a telephone interview that it was his “strong recommendation” to cancel Pioneer Days because of the impacts of COVID-19.

“I’m very concerned for city workers’ health. The police and city workers do all the labor setting up,” he said, “We would have to quarantine them [if there was an outbreak]...It would be hard for the City to operate if I had to quarantine [multiple workers].”

“The risk is not worth the benefit,” he offered. 

Though the City Council never made an official recommendation to the Chamber of Commerce, Pioneer Days does appear on their agenda for the meeting that was scheduled for August 24, after press time. 

“It’s a sad thing,” Mayor Pruett concluded, “I wish we could have it again, but I’m just so nervous about it and the repercussions. My job is to protect the citizens. Any time we’re having increases in COVID, it makes me nervous.”