By Kat Bryant

Grays Harbor News Group

Aberdeen’s annual Founders Day parade has officially been canceled, nearly three months before it was scheduled to happen.

“We made this decision as it is unclear how soon the restrictions on large gatherings will be lifted, even if the ‘stay home’ order is lifted,” said event committee chairwoman Julie Kennedy. “There are a lot of resources that go into planning and operating the parade, and it would be very disappointing to expect them, only to have to cancel.”

Founders Day is the annual celebration of Sam Benn, who settled here and established the city of Aberdeen in 1868. Benn’s birthdate was July 2, and the parade traditionally occurs on the Saturday on or prior to the Fourth of July. This year, it would have fallen on June 27.

“For me, I really didn’t see a way to ask local businesses to contribute time or resources at a time when family and employees are the priority,” said committee member Bruce Daniels.

Fees have been refunded to vendors that had already signed up, according to a Facebook post made by the committee.

The organization is committed to using the time to develop plans for an expanded celebration next year.

“Let’s just take a year off, keep everyone healthy, and we will come back next year bigger and better than ever,” said Daniels.