Rendezvous is “on.”
Earlier today, I received the following message from Bruce Kemp regarding this year’s Western Pennsylvania Solo Canoe Rendezvous:
Hi Folks – we are pleased to say that the decision has been made that the 2021 (the delayed 13th) edition of the Western PA Solo Canoe Rendezvous will be a GO, June 4/5/6, so please do come.
Covid is still active here in Western PA, though the recent surge has been diminishing somewhat, especially with the vaccination rates increasing daily. But we’re still not out of the woods yet with this thing. As such, there will be, of necessity, a few changes to our usual Modus Operandi in accommodation to that Reality.
We’ll adhere to the current (May 2 as I write) CDC and PA guidelines for “congregate” events. Briefly they recommend that fully vaccinated folks may congregate outside in small numbers w/o masks, when in the company of others also vaccinated. Masks are still recommended when in a “crowded” venue. As examples of such they list sporting events and concerts – not on the scale of the Rendezvous to be sure, but there may still be times at Cooper’s when we can get a little tight, so keep that in mind.
As many of you will know, the R is 100% outside. Nevertheless, in the interest of all of us having a care and watching out for each other, we strongly urge that attendees be vaccinated (or in progress with that), though neither we nor Cooper’s Lake will require it. We ask that people continue to be cognizant of social distancing, and have a mask with you for those times when the circumstances may dictate its use.
We will have our usual food spreads morning and lunch, and the Friday Veggie Pot-luck, but in the Viral circumstances we’ll make some adjustments in how we handle that to help reduce the crowding that can occur at those times. We’ll ask that folks (again) be mindful of social distancing and not be shoulder to shoulder in the lines. Hang back, take your time, and spread out a bit… We’ll have our Big Top picnic tables spread out too. The catered Sat eve dinner will be served from the restaurant up by the Campground office – to be eaten there (a number of outdoor tables), or as “take-out” back to the R site. We remind that you are perfectly welcome to bring your own eats, and in these times that may be a preferrable option for some. We leave it to your individual discretion to determine what will work best for you.
As you will all know, the Outdoor Recreation industry (in all its forms) experienced an unprecedented Boom last year with Covid “forcing” folks to figure out ways to have fun on their own. The canoe industry is no exception. Many of our usual vendors are finding themselves so swamped with orders (and Good For Them!) that they are just not able to break away to attend this year’s Rendezvous, but we are happy (and grateful!) to report that Hemlock Canoe and Savage River Canoe have been able to make a little time and will be able to be on hand. We still await definitive word from one or two others, so stay tuned. We remind also that there is commonly a large selection of privately-owned canoes that will be on site as well.
And if you have not done so recently, please also check out our new website. We think it will answer most questions you may have.
It’ll be good to get back together with a bunch of canoe folks, we’ve missed seein’ y’all. And the Rendezvous is still A Very Nice Affair Indeed…
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