In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Washington Chamber of Commerce is canceling or modifying summer events for the safety of the public. The Summer Classic held the first week of June annually has been cancelled. Ridiculous Day on June 6th will be modified with online shopping and there will not be a parade. A decision on the annual golf tournament has not yet been made. The annual craft fair is still tentatively scheduled for September 12th.

This week Governor Kim Reynolds announced 77 counties could move toward reopening some businesses at limited capacity and that all 99 counties could hold religious services and open farmers markets with social distancing recommended. Washington County Public Health Director Danielle Pettit-Majewski shared earlier this week that decisions about the weekly Washington Farmers’ Market that typically begins in May will be made soon, “There’s also some conversations around loosening restrictions regarding farmers’ markets. I will say that for Washington County, the Farmers’ Market Advisory Board has not made a decision about how we’re going to move forward yet at this time. We plan to meet on Saturday, I do sit on that board. We plan to meet on Saturday to make some decisions on how we’re going to move forward with the farmers’ market.” Some farmers’ markets in the state are moving to online ordering with drive-up pick-up.

The Chamber Board will also review proposals in mid-May for the Thursday Night Live entertainment activities held after each farmers market in Central Park.

As of Thursday, Iowa had 7,145 confirmed cases and 162 deaths from COVID-19. In Washington County there have been 141 confirmed cases and seven deaths. Statewide nearly 43,000 people have been tested for COVID-19.