Heritage Park cancels Carnivàle fundraiser due to public health restrictions
Officials at Calgary's Heritage Park say they made a "difficult decision" to cancel a fundraising event, which ticket holders said was done at the last minute.
Carnivàle, described as an after-hours event where visitors could enjoy antique rides and games on the midway, performers and other attractions, was supposed to take place Friday evening, but officials say the provincial government's new guidelines changed all that.
"Due to the recent state of public health emergency we have made the difficult decision to cancel our Carnivàle event," the park wrote in a statement on its website.
"The health and safety of our guests, employees and volunteers is our top priority. We are not able to offer many of the intimate experiences of this event in our current climate, therefore we feel we can't provide our guests with the magical experience intended."
According to a statement sent to ticket holders, the cancellation was finalized at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
A post on the park's Facebook page, made at 11 a.m. on Sept. 15, also indicated that tickets were still available for purchase online.
Officials with Heritage Park say they are "disappointed" with the outcome.
"Similar to every other public facing organization, we are moving quickly to implement the new (Alberta Health Service) rules. Given the heighten state of emergency it caused us to pause and make the difficult decision to cancel this year’s event," said Viola Midegs, marketing director with Heritage Park in an email to CTV News.
The online auction still went ahead as planned and wrapped up at 11 p.m. on Sept. 17.
"Winners will be contacted after Carnivàle concludes. Online auction items will be available for pick up at Heritage Park Security after noon on Sept. 20, 2021."
PARK ADOPTS RESTRICTION EXEMPTION PROGRAM
In addition to the sudden change to one of its fundraising events, park officials say they will also be adopting the province's restriction exemption program starting Monday.
That means all visitors will continue to wear masks in all indoor areas and must show proof of vaccination if they are 12 or older.
Proof of one dose of vaccine administered at least two weeks prior to entry, will be accepted between Sept. 20 and Oct. 25. Full vaccination (two doses) is required after Oct. 25.
Heritage Park will also accept proof of a privately-paid negative PCR or rapid test with 72 hours or documentation of a medical exemption.
It's not just the front gates where visitors will need to display their documentation either. They'll also need to show it at the entrance to Gasoline Alley, the reception area of the Selkirk restaurant if choosing to dine inside or on the patio and at the till at the Railway Cafe and Harvey's Confectionery if choosing to dine inside.
"We are committed to providing a safe experience for everyone at the Park and continue to provide enhanced cleaning, additional hand sanitizer stations and mask mandates for all of our guest facing staff. We thank you for your ongoing support of Heritage Park and for complying by these new government of Alberta mandates."
Heritage Park says it plans to bring back Carnivàle for next year.
Guests who purchased tickets should watch their email inboxes for details on refunds and donations.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.