BETHEL — For the first time in history, the Kauneonga Lake Block Party has canceled its event due to the growing concerns of COVID-19 and its safety.

Festival organizers have sent a letter to the Town of Bethel, stating that they canceled their event that was slated for June 21, 2020, and said that they would try again in 2021.

This annual event draws more than 3,000 people each year as the town closes down the Kauneonga Lake area.

The event usually has several vendors, musicians, performances contests, and a wide variety of food options for visitors.

However, because of COVID-19, Bethel Supervisor Dan Sturm said he is unsure if other town-planned events for this summer will be canceled as well.

Some of those events include the Farmer's Market, fireworks, and the Bethel Lakeside music.

“By our next town board meeting [May 27], we're going to have more information,” said Sturm. “We're going to follow every single guideline that we're given, make sure people are safe and make our decisions accordingly.”

Federal Aid

The Town of Bethel is adding their name to a letter that is being sent from the New York State Association of Towns to U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Congressman Antonio Delgado on the need for federal aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We provide services such as highway maintenance, snow removal, sewer infrastructure, police protection, parks, recreation programs, animal control and contracts for fire and ambulance services,” said Sturm. “We do all of this efficiently and cost-effectively. However, the COVID-19 crisis is putting these services in peril.”

Sturm said the state could be facing $2 billion in lost sales tax revenue. In Bethel, Sturm said, “We have lost revenue in the form of Justice Court funds, permit fees, parking tickets, mortgage recording tax.”

Sturm said that the state could reduce aid from anywhere to 20 to 50 percent. “providing local governments with federal funding should not political issue,” he said.

Sturm said, “If the federal government does not provide aid to states, the lack of federal funding combined with decreasing state aid, reduced revenues from sales tax, court fines and permits [will] be catastrophic for towns and ultimately, all of our residents.”

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Patricio Robayo | Democrat

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Patricio Robayo | Democrat

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Patricio Robayo | Democrat