As most of you have heard by now, PANFEST 2020 has been cancelled.
Although this was expected, we have all been hoping beyond hope that this would not come to pass. The PANFEST weekend means so much for so many, with all of us looking forward to it every year. Over the past several weeks I have spoken to, and heard from, so many friends and PANFEST family. Each person shared with me their own feelings of sadness and regret.
At this time it is hard to accept not attending this year, or to think about how long it will be before we get to walk through the gates and into our magickal space again. These are indeed challenging times, with so much of our own personal routines being changed, giving way to a new and unexpected “normal”. This will not stop us from celebrating on our festival weekend! Just as PANFEST brings us together as a family and community, we will get through this time as just that: a family and community.
Lughnasahd will be celebrated, if not for the harvest, then we will celebrate it as a show of resilience, of faith. We will celebrate Together while Apart!
If there is one thing that our pagan community knows, it is perseverance. Determination got us this far, and it will carry us onward until we can all meet again, with embraces and laughter.
As your Board, we want you all to know that we are still working, meeting online every month, and will continue to do so right up until our gates are open again. Of course, we will not be able to have our Annual General Meeting, so as Board members we have recommitted ourselves and will hold our current positions until the 2021 AGM.
Your Board and I want you all to know that we are all feeling every bit what you are feeling, and we are missing each and every one of you. Please feel free to reach out to us anytime you need. I love hearing from you all, and I know the other Board Members do too. We are happy to answer any questions, listen to any concerns, or just chat if you simply want to stay in contact.
Strength and Love my friends, and remember… Perseverance!
Thinking of you all,
Gord
Chair
PANFEST Board
