The Vita and area Winter Festival has been cancelled for a second straight year.

Organizer Lucie Maynard is disappointed they had to cancel the annual event, again, but she says they just couldn’t see how it could work to hold outdoor activities while following current public health orders.

The committee had initially thought it would be enough to cancel only the indoor events and still run the sled races.

“The issue was the gathering sizes and even in uncontrolled areas, we couldn’t safely do it,” Maynard says. “And the committee couldn’t afford a fine, if one were to be given.”

She says it’s very disappointing, for the volunteers, the community and the mushers.

Maynard is not quick to throw in the towel completely. She’s trying to come up with some creative ways to still allow for some form of racing fun that everyone can enjoy.

While local mushers are out this month, training with their team, Maynard is hopeful to have someone strap on a video camera that they can share online.

This would give everyone an idea of what it’s like to be part of these races, experiencing a virtual ride through the snow.

Earlier this winter, there was concern that there wouldn’t be enough of the white powder to allow for racing. Maynard was excited to get the snow, only to have the enthusiasm dampened by gathering restrictions.

With the festival not happening this month, she’s already looking at what the event could look like next year.

Her heart is set on making it bigger and better to make sure people come back.

The money that was raised to pay for this year’s festival will be saved for next year. Maynard has some ideas and looks forward to presenting them to the committee.