Press release from Old Town Rotary:

It is with a heavy heart that Old Town Rotary (OTR) of Eureka announces that the 2020 Rhododendron Parade scheduled for April 25 th will be cancelled due to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 Coronavirus and its potential to adversely affect us all here on the North Coast, Old Town Rotary believes that by cancelling the 55th Annual Rhododendron Parade, we can play a proactive role in helping to “flatten the curve” and hopefully reducing the number of cases within our community.

The Rhododendron Parade is always a day of festive floats, marching bands, community groups, school children and local business coming together to deliver joy and happiness to all that partake. OTR, as the facilitators of this great event, note that the safety of all has, and will always be our #1 priority.

This is a measure OTR is taking at the directive of the CDC and government officials along with Rotary International. This has been a difficult decision as “Rotarians are People of Action, and are most comfortable when we are fully engaged in the world – moving freely, meeting openly, and offering helping hands. Rotarians are also leaders in our communities, and these times call for leadership”. (Mark Malonney, Rotary President)

Even though this year’s parade is not going to occur, Old Town Rotary appreciates the Community as a whole for its continued support, our sponsors, Lavonne Cookman for her beautiful artwork and especially Eric and Viviana Hollenbeck of Blue Ox Millworks, Historical Park & School of Traditional Arts for being our Grand Marshal(s).