Karnes City Rotary Club cancels 2020 Lonesome Dove Fest
Focus shifts to raffle as sole fundraiser amid COVID-19 concerns
Karnes City, Texas -- Members of the Karnes City Rotary Club recently voted to cancel the 2020 Lonesome Dove Fest which, until recently, they had planned to take place this September.
This is the first year the local annual event has had to cancel since it all began with the first Lonesome Dove Fest back in 1994.
Due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases statewide, and with local, state and national government officials and health agencies advising against public outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people, club members unanimously reached the conclusion that in the interest of public health and safety, it would not be possible to host the annual event this year.
The club is planning to make the Lonesome Dove Fest raffle bigger and better than ever as it will be the only aspect of the event this year that will be able to raise funds for all the different community efforts and projects the Karnes City Rotary Club supports including scholarships for high school seniors from all four Karnes County school districts, dictionaries for students, Toys for Tots, Boys Scouts and Cub Scouts, Karnes County Youth sports, Rotary Youth Leadership Academy and contributions to local fire departments and emergency workers.
Because of this, club members are reaching out to businesses in the area to contribute prizes for the raffle and they are also encouraging all the people who have supported Lonesome Dove Fest through their generosity to continue this tradition by purchasing raffle tickets from club members. Donations will also be welcomed without raffle ticket purchases or item sponsorships.
For more information about how to donate a prize or prizes toward the raffle, or to purchase raffle tickets, or to contribute in some other way, please contact Randy Witte (830-583-5110; witteinc@sbcglobal.net), Wade Hedtke (830-583-6330; whedtke@gsminsurors.com) or Staci Slayden (210-789-6977; sacourt97@gmail.com.)
The Karnes City Rotary Club places the health and safety of the community above all else, and while they are disappointed this year’s Lonesome Dove Fest cannot go forward, they are also very hopeful that the Lonesome Dove Fest traditional celebration of the start of dove hunting season in Karnes County as well as all things related to wildlife and the outdoors will be able to carry on once again for Lonesome Dove Fest 2021.
For up to date information, please visit www.lonesomedovefest.com or Facebook.com/LonesomeDoveFest.