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Vancouver’s annual 4/20 festival cancelled due to coronavirus outbreak

It appears that nothing is safe from the COVID-19 pandemic.
420 cancelled
Vancouver’s annual 4/20 festival has been cancelled in light of the province asking organizers to cancel events that have more than 250 attendees. File photo Dan Toulgoet

It appears that nothing is safe from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a week that’s seen pretty much everything under the sun cancelled, re-scheduled or suspended, organizers of Vancouver’s annual 4/20 pot festival announced Friday that this year’s event is cancelled.

On Thursday, B.C.’s provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry asked that all events with more than 250 people be cancelled.

 “Though 4/20 is a protest, it is not a protest against health officials, and it makes sense to help them protect the public from the outbreak of an infectious virus,” organizers said in a press release.

Vancouver’s 4/20 event, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, typically attracts thousands of participants every year.

“We’re sad there won’t be a 4/20 celebration at Sunset Beach this year, but we will be back to celebrate Cannabis Day on July 1 at Thornton Park in Vancouver,” the press release reads.

Organizers say vendors that booked a booth will receive a refund in the coming days.

@JessicaEKerr