Coronavirus brings big changes to Cambria’s popular Pinedorado festival
The COVID-19 pandemic is bringing big changes to a Cambria tradition of more than 70 years: Pinedorado.
The annual festival traditionally draws big crowds to the North Coast community over Labor Day weekend., usually spans up to six days over the holiday period, with nearly all of the events being held over the three-day weekend.
Cambria’s Lions Club is tentatively planning to present an “abbreviated” Pinedorado celebration on Sept. 5, according to an email update sent by Pinedorado chairman Greg Aitkens to members and others on May 18.
The festival, which celebrates its 72nd anniversary in 2020, usually draws big crowds from all over the county and state. The event traditionally spans up to six days over the holiday period, with nearly all of the events being held over the three-day weekend.
In recent years, the most heavily attended events have included a parade, a car show, Follies shows and game and food booths on the Pinedorado grounds.
The decision to cut back but proceed — to be tentatively affirmed at a board meeting May 21 — would be subject to whatever coronavirus-related restrictions and conditions are in force at that time.
“Any plans will be dictated by the ‘stage’ we are in going forward,” Aitkens said. “We have a tentative date of July 17 for determining what, if any, activities we will be able to sponsor, or whether we can do anything this year.”
Current plans for the one-day 2020 festival include a Saturday morning parade for local Cambria groups, and a local car show in the afternoon.
“We would not have a barbecue, like we normally do,” Aitkens said. “However, we could have several food trucks serving or have local restaurants be involved in serving food” at the Pinedorado grounds.
“We’d have music groups performing from the stage, and the Pub would be open,” he said, adding that “it’s still being determined if we can sponsor games for the kids” or have the bounce house.
