STOCKTON, Calif. — The 42nd Annual Stockton Chinese New Year Parade and Celebration joins a list of events recently canceled due to concerns over the coronavirus, the pneumonia-like virus that broke out in China weeks ago.
"We chose to be safe and cautious," festival chairperson Harry Fong told ABC10 in an email. "The welfare of our members and patrons is/has always been a top priority."
The event was initially scheduled on March 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m at the Stockton Civic Auditorium. Fong said organizers are not rescheduling the event.
The Annual Stockton Chinese New Year Parade and Celebration is not the only event canceled due to fears of the coronavirus. The city of Elk Grove canceled its Lunar New Year event as well.
The Elk Grove's Diversity and Inclusion Commission followed the footsteps of other organizers of similar events that were canceled because of concerns over the coronavirus.
The Elk Grove's Lunar New Year event was originally scheduled for Jan. 31.
The Sacramento Chinese New Year Culture Association announced it would be postponing its annual celebration that was set to take place this weekend. Another Sacramento-area event, the Spring Lantern Festival, which was scheduled for Feb. 15, was also canceled.
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