Anacortes Bier on the Pier
September 6, 2021
This week the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce determined that Bier on the Pier 2021 would not live up to previous years’ standards for several reasons. Many breweries had to cancel due to staffing shortages, numerous refund requests citing health concerns, and concerns about the safety of the community due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Skagit County. Following a discussion about the safety of the community, volunteers, incoming guests, and the overall operational ability to facilitate this event, the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce ultimately made the hard decision to cancel the 2021 Bier on the Pier Festival.
The group discussed a recent local newspaper article in which another Chamber Board Member and CEO of Island Hospital stated, "We may be in the darkest days of COVID-19." The pandemic has had a significant impact on Island Hospital, which is currently at capacity with patients. In the last two weeks, there have been five COVID-19-related deaths at the hospital.
“The safety concerns and possibility of having an event not as advertised would have been unfair to attendees, volunteers, and vendors,” states Bridget Fry, the Events & Communications Director of the Anacortes Chamber.
In normal years, the annual Bier on the Pier festival which takes place the first weekend of October every year, features over 40 breweries, cideries, food vendors, and multiple local bands.
This week the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce determined that Bier on the Pier 2021 would not live up to previous years’ standards for several reasons. Many breweries had to cancel due to staffing shortages, numerous refund requests citing health concerns, and concerns about the safety of the community due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Skagit County. Following a discussion about the safety of the community, volunteers, incoming guests, and the overall operational ability to facilitate this event, the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce ultimately made the hard decision to cancel the 2021 Bier on the Pier Festival.
The group discussed a recent local newspaper article in which another Chamber Board Member and CEO of Island Hospital stated, "We may be in the darkest days of COVID-19." The pandemic has had a significant impact on Island Hospital, which is currently at capacity with patients. In the last two weeks, there have been five COVID-19-related deaths at the hospital.
“The safety concerns and possibility of having an event not as advertised would have been unfair to attendees, volunteers, and vendors,” states Bridget Fry, the Events & Communications Director of the Anacortes Chamber.
In normal years, the annual Bier on the Pier festival which takes place the first weekend of October every year, features over 40 breweries, cideries, food vendors, and multiple local bands.
Anacortes Bier on the Pier
Date and Time
Friday Oct 1, 2021 Saturday Oct 2, 2021
Dates:
-Friday, October 1st
-Saturday, October 2nd
-Friday, October 1st
-Saturday, October 2nd
Hours:
-Friday – 5-9pm
-Saturday – 12-6pm
-Friday – 5-9pm
-Saturday – 12-6pm
Location:
-Port of Anacortes Warehouse 100 Commercial Avenue. The corner of 1st Street and Commercial Avenue, Anacortes Washington
-Port of Anacortes Warehouse 100 Commercial Avenue. The corner of 1st Street and Commercial Avenue, Anacortes Washington
For an application to be a brewery or cidery at the event, please email Bridget Fry, the Events & Communications Director-- bridget@anacortes.org
