KANOPOLIS — Fort Harker Days is postponed until next year.

That was the decision of the Kanopolis City Council June 2 during a special council meeting — but only after 30 minutes of back and forth discussion.

Mayor Anthony Hopkins, who is also a member of the Fort Harker Days committee along with council member Greg Tripp, said everyone in the county has been in a holding pattern waiting to see what would happen with the COVID-19 crisis.

Since county health officials have released restrictions, Hopkins said it is up to the various committees in the county to decide whether to move forward with festivals.

Hopkins, who is also a member of Ellsworth’s Cowtown committee, said that group voted June 1 not to have Cowtown days live and in person. He also said Czech Festival organizers in Wilson are going to have a scaled back festival.

Kerianne Ehrlich, supervisor of the Ellsworth County Health Department, who attended the special meeting, said organizers of the Ellsworth County 4-H Fair plan a much condensed fair this year.

Hopkins said he thought the ultimate goal is to try to get into the new school year without having any outbreaks. He said having these festivals will bring people from out-of-county and out-of-state, including possibly from areas where there could be higher COVID-19 risks.

“I would sure hate for a COVID outbreak to happen and have it in any way, shape or form tied to Fort Harker Days,” he said.

Hopkins said some people think the COVID-19 pandemic is a hoax, and some people think it’s political.

“My ultimate concern is the health for Kanopolis and Ellsworth County,” he said.

Ehrlich said Dr. Ronald Whitmer, the county’s medical officer, was reluctant to drop all the restrictions, but we felt like we didn’t really have grounds to stand on. He did say if we do develop an outbreak that he probably will put some restrictions into place. Ehrlich said if that happens, it could be on the spur of the moment right before the event.

“I would hate to have to come in after all the money and time and planning has gone into something to say hey, sorry, we won’t be able to allow you to open the event,” she said.

Ehrlich said these types of events will bring people inside Ellsworth County from all over.

“Maintaining that social distancing just doesn’t happen at those kind of events,” she added.

After a motion to have the event died during discussion and for the a lack of a vote, a motion was then made to postpone Fort Harker Days until 2021. It was approved by a vote of 3-2.