Sorry to be the barer of bad news.

To all of those who were planning to attend the time runs this year, they have been canceled due to the COVID-19 virus. This was taken from the town chairmans/town facebook page.


"1. All public events scheduled through July 31, 2020 have immediately been cancelled. This includes any and all permitted and non-permitted events that gather on public or private property that are open to or gather the public. This includes events such as tournaments, parades, memorial ceremonies, races, sporting games and practices, and any other public events. This date will be re-evaluated regularly and should circumstances change we will adjust accordingly and swiftly in either direction, but most obviously and hopefully for the better."

The town is also asking seasonal visitors and people with summer homes not to come up, if you do, to self quarantine for 14 days. I probably won't go up until the middle of May or maybe Memorial Day weekend, By that time the grass will have had a start to grow, I have about an acre and a half of grass that will need to be cut and there is no way I can wait until the end of July or longer. Planning my trips, I don't have to interact with town people for as long we are there, unless I need gas for the tractor, toon, or need something from the hardware store.

I can see them wanting people to stay away do to the limited medical infrastructure and the county has one of the largest senior populations in the state.

Bob

We knew they canceled the races. We were just going back because it was beautiful and we loved it and enjoyed all the beautiful lakes being connected to each other. We all have a big  house rented again that we had last year right next to the water....so hopefully things will work out

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As for the July 31st date, this virus isn't just going to go away one day and everyone is healthy again. It will go away slowly. There is no way that you can or will be able to tell if the person standing next to you is still a carrier.

The day I posted this, I talked to the director at the Chamber of Commerce. She told me that the Town Board was going to meet this week and part of the discussion was going to be the July 31st date.

The Chamber has taken over the promotion of the Shootout. They were also going to look at things that they do. The woman that I talked to said that she was 90% sure the event would remain canceled as the logistics would be too hard to complete in the given amount of time. As of now, even the 4th of July parade is cancel, but she said that it would be far easier to get the parade together if there was a change in the restrictions. As we all know, small town parades resemble those of high school home comings so putting floats together wouldn't be that hard. I guess it draws something like 10,000 viewers.

With the Camber taking over the Shootout, they are looking at the possibility of a venue change, that being a small land locked lake in town, no come by boat traffic. I hope that change doesn't take place. The lake is large enough to host the Shootout, but has a poor boat landing and very limited public parking, just side street parking adjacent to the lake. I am not sure what they would do with pit space unless they use the small-town park adjacent to the lake. The current venue is on a large chain of lakes which allows a large number of people to come by boat.  This also allows racers to go for a quick jaunt if they want and spend after hours on the water, not having to trailer to another boat launch.

My thinking is the chamber looking for spectators who come to watch the shootout will then migrate into town and visit the Ice Cream shop, 3-4 junk stores, a couple of places to eat, or the American Legion bar. Their job is to promote the town. It is small town with not much to do, it’s slowly dying.

Nick, If I hear of any changes I'll let you know.

Bob

That sucks to hear but I guess it’s just another thing to be cancelled. I got a buddy that tows up with a Hydrostream from Madison/Milwaukee area. One time I would like to go up when the kids are older


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