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BUSTI – A family run fall attraction in the Town of Busti will not be able to hold their craft festival this weekend due to COVID-19 concerns.
Marshall Minor, who owns Pumpkintown alongside several of his family members, tells WNYNewsNow that Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel reached out to him yesterday about health concerns the festival could create.
Minor says the news, which was delivered just two days before the event was slated to take place, was very disappointing because his festival met all the state guidelines for keeping visitors safe from the virus.
“We felt like we met all of the state guidelines, but then they (county officials) said that it doesn’t really matter because there is ‘home rule’ and they can impose anything they want on us because of the health concerns,” said Minor. “The most disappointing part to us is all of the vendors and all of the people who put a lot of time and effort to making this happen.”
In total over 50 vendors and a helicopter ride starting at the Baker Street Extension location were slated to take place.
Marshall’s wife Sarah says that even though the festival will not take place, the destination will be open their normal hours this weekend welcoming the community in, while keeping everyone safe.
“We ask that all of our patrons wear masks and maintain safe social distancing, especially when you are in closer range of people,” said Sarah Minor. “But because we have so much space, people can spread out, people can run around and not be close to other people, and I think that makes families a little safer knowing that you are not right on top of one another.”
The family has also hired additional help to keep surfaces clean across the property.
Each weekend, activities like pony rides, apple canons and a haunted house are available to visitors, just to name a few.
There is also a variety of food choices, like chicken fingers, french-fries and apple crisp available.
Pumpkintown is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with admission $10 per person, seniors are $5, with children under two and veterans or active military free.
For more on what the attraction has to offer, visit their Facebook page.
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