Coronavirus Concerns Cancel Marblehead Craft Fair

MARBLEHEAD, MA — A popular North Shore craft fair in Marblehead is being canceled this year out of coronavirus concerns.

While many outdoor fairs and festivals returned across the region this summer and fall following 2020 cancellations, organizers said they have made the difficult decision to call off the Gerry 5 VFA Holiday Craft Fair announced this summer.

Organizers said potential vendors and attendees expressed concern about an indoor event around the holiday season.

"We honestly thought the pandemic and its impact upon our lives would be in a much better place with some semblance of normalcy," organizers posted on the fair's Facebook event page. "It is only after much discussion by our committee and consultation with the Gerry No. 5 Board of Directors that we are unfortunately canceling this year's craft fair.

"We considered many factors from our ability to staff the event, controlling social distancing and mask requirements during the event, COVID-19 concerns expressed from potential vendors and buyers, potential attendees and the competition we've always faced during the holiday season.

"We learned that a majority of people are not yet comfortable attending indoor public events."

Organizers said that with only 60 percent of vendor tables reserved the decision was made to postpone to 2022.

"This was a difficult and sad decision for all involved," organizers said. "The craft fair is one of our premier events but we are erring on the side of safety."

Organizers said now considering a possible spring event and look forward to a return to the fall holiday fair next year.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)