Hello all,
As the COVID omicron variants cause new peaks in infections, your Zimfest Organizing Committee is crossing its collective fingers and continuing to work towards a hopeful and safe gathering in Mount Vernon WA June 24-26. Some news and reminders:
- Beginning today, May 15th, dorm rooms at Skagit College’s Campus View Village can be reserved via Zimfest registration. Hint: if you have already registered for workshops and are in the system, it will be easier to go to the Registration Manager to make the change to your registration. If you are unsure how, see directions on How to Register.
- We are very sorry to report that we have been unable to line up any food vendors or food trucks for the Fairgrounds and thus there will be no food on-site. We have consulted with local residents and determined that many have gone out of business during the pandemic while others committed to prime locations months ago. Check out our webpage on Dining Options in Mount Vernon. Everyone’s favorite: Skagit Valley Food Co-op for their deli and orders-to-go.
- Attention all non-food vendors for the African Marketplace: submit your application by May 28 in order to avoid a late fee. Info and application here.
- Registration is going well, with many signups on the first three members-only days and a steady flow of signups in the last two weeks. Several classes are already full.
- We would love to see more people registering for the cultural presentations (half-price!), perhaps the most important topics to be addressed at the festival. Click here for Workshop Details, and search on Presentation or Other.
- Highly recommended by the OC: “Non-Zimbabweans playing Zimbabwean Music: A Discussion of Colonialism, Racism and Responsibility” facilitated by Kelly Takunda-Orphan on Sunday at 9:30 AM. It is so important that we keep these conversations going!
Continue to keep each other safe!
Claire Jones, Zimfest Coordinator
Hi All.
I’m hoping to attend this year but would like to know about COVID safety protocol. Is vaccination the only requirement? Will masks be optional in the classes and evening concerts?
The Zimfest Covid Safety Committee is preparing a recommendation for the Board. The decision should be announced this week.
Thanks to the Zimfest organizers! I am unable to attend this year but want so much to see the cultural presentations. Is there any chance for a streamed option?
Thank you for considering!
Thanks for your suggestion, Carolyn! It would be a nice idea for some of these presentations and discussions to be streamed, but the Organizing Committee has already bitten off more than it can chew with combining live and pre-recorded performances in hybrid concerts, along with in-person workshops for the first time in three years. We are hoping to present some online programming of pre-recorded performances sometime after the festival.