Harford Wine Festival, Bel Air Festival For The Arts Canceled

BEL AIR, MD — Two major events in Bel Air have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Harford County Wine Festival and the Bel Air Festival for the Arts were called off last week, Mayor Amy Chmielewski announced at Monday's virtual Town Hall meeting of the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.

The Harford County Wine Festival was to celebrate its 25th anniversary but on July 14, Rockfield Manor Executive Director Kellee Kalthof wrote in a letter that the 2020 event would be canceled.

"Due to the restrictions, we cannot execute a Wine Fest that this community deserves," Kalthof wrote. "The Harford County Wine Festival brings people from all over the country, 13 states of attendees, 3 nationwide distributors providing over 250 wines."

Currently people have been advised to limit travel due to the spread of the virus, and Gov. Larry Hogan said anyone who has left Maryland should get tested upon returning.

"We are sad to announce that the Harford County Wine Festival scheduled for Sept. 26, 2020, is canceled," Kalthof said. "It would be unfair to attendees if we continued with the event."

Tickets will go on sale next summer for the 15-year anniversary of the Harford County Wine Festival. Organizers say the event will be "bigger than ever" on Sept. 25, 2021.

Another September event — the Bel Air Festival for the Arts — was also called off given the coronavirus pandemic. The Bel Air Recreation Committee made the decision.

"Given the historical crowd size and current COVID-19 restrictions we are just unable to plan a festival that we think would be safe for our exhibitors, visitors and surrounding community," organizers said on the Bel Air Festival for the Arts website.

Booth rentals will be refunded in full, according to authorities.

The 54th Bel Air Festival for the Arts is slated for Sept. 19, 2021.