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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.