Staff Reports
Organizers of the annual showcase Madison Gold Cup Regatta on the Ohio River and its accompanying Roostertail Music Festival recently announced the risk from the COVID-19 pandemic is too serious to continue making plans for the July 4 holiday event.
President Matt True and the board of directors called off what would have been the 70th annual event with plans to resume July 1 through 4, 2021, after this intermission.
“Event organizers are all being faced with the same questions and unknowns as we are,” True said in a statement about how the international pandemic has forced postponement and cancellation of many events, including essentially the entire worldwide sports schedule as spectators instead shelter at home in isolation.
The hydroplane racing is the featured attraction on the water. Other festive event casualties of this decision are the fireworks display, parade, pageants and a 10-kilometer race.
Those who bought advance tickets for the summer extravaganza are scheduled to be notified by email that they can apply ticket purchases to the bounce-back 2021 event. The organization plans to provide more information about next year’s competition and show in the near future.
Directors announced it made the determination in April because it was approached for answers by race teams, vendors and fans. There was no way to predict how long it might take for state authorities to give the all-clear for crowd gatherings.