The 2021 RetroFest Cruise and Car Show in Chatham will be held online this summer to keep the public safe from COVID-19.
The Historic Downtown Chatham BIA and the Kent Historic Auto Club said they had to do something keep the celebration alive during the pandemic and will host the two-day event on the RetroFest Chatham Facebook page and the Historic Downtown Chatham BIA web page.
BIA Project Manager Connie Beneteau said work is already underway to find Miss RetroFest 2021. A Virtual Classic Car Registration Event Page has also been launched and anyone with a classic vehicle can post their car and a description. She added 10 cars will have a pre-recorded documentary done by Candlebox Production.
A live stream party was originally scheduled for Friday, May 21 between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. with some cars, guest speakers and music on a stage. Then on Saturday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. -- the event was scheduled to live stream a band, the Miss RetroFest crowning, guest speakers, car awards, and music on stage.
However, organizers have pushed back the virtual event because of the current stay-at-home order.
"In order to complete this kind of event, it will take many hours of pre-recording content with cars, their car owners, sponsors, and interactive content along with a live band streamed on stage the day of the event," read an update from the Historic Downtown Chatham BIA.
The virtual event will now be held on Friday, June 25, and Saturday, June 26.
"We understand that the situation changes by the minute and we have to be flexible to pivot with the COVID-19 regulations," said the RetroFest Committee in a statement. "We hope that everyone will be kind and understanding that we are doing our best and everything could change at anytime, for better or not."
The committee reminds the public that COVID-19 rules will determine exactly what the event will be allowed to do.
Organizers said they would like to remain true to the structure of RetroFest by including the Junior Judges, Miss RetroFest competition, community giveaways, along with the RetroFest Live Stream Cruise Party, Car Show and awards.
More information about the pageant and the virtual car cruise and car show can be found by clicking here.
RetroFest was cancelled last year because organizers were unclear as to how they could hold the event safely.
* The story was updated on April 26 to include the date change from May to June.