SAUGUS — Founder’s Day is still expected to return this month after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Saugus Youth and Recreation Department, the event is still being held on Sept. 11. However, the department cautioned that the event can be canceled at any time and a refund will not be issued for those who purchase a table. Instead, they will be given a credit to use for future Founder’s Day events.
This news comes on the heels of the town releasing a COVID-19 update this week, which showed that Saugus had 76 new cases in a seven-day period.
“I think at this point, where there hasn’t been any real rumblings or changes to the outdoor gathering requirements; I mean there haven’t been any restrictions or anything put in place (so) we’re looking around to see whether or not there’s other towns and cities that are canceling events like this,” said Director of Public Health John Fralick.
“I know Stoneham’s town day is going to be continuing on as scheduled. A number of other outdoor events are continuing on as scheduled. We’re just trying to be in line with what the state is requiring of us as well as the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and ultimately I think moving forward, outdoor events, I believe they are going to continue.”
Fralick added that it’s also a matter of waiting to see what the number of cases look like as the town continues to monitor the situation. If case numbers get too high, he said that some changes will need to be made to the event.
Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Corinne Riley said that she is excited to have Founder’s Day return, explaining that residents have missed being able to attend the event.
“It’s just a great day all around,” said Riley. “I know that people are still a bit cautious about what’s going on right now with numbers rising and everything, but as long as they feel safe to go and they wear masks if that makes them comfortable, and hopefully the people that haven’t been vaccinated would wear them as well.”
She added that while it’s everyone’s personal decision whether they attend, she hopes that residents will feel comfortable and safe if they do go.
Riley said that events such as Founder’s Day are important since they can help residents get to know one another. She also described the event as an unofficial reunion for people native to Saugus who return to their hometown for the celebration.
“That’s part of the pull for me to go there every year because you do run into people you haven’t seen for a very long time,” said Riley.
Board of Selectmen member Debra Panetta also described Founder’s Day as one of the most important days of the year for Saugus. Fralick agreed, saying that holding events like Founder’s Day is important to the community.
“After the 2020 that we had and the lockdowns that we saw, I think it’s important to be able to hold social events like this,” Fralick said. “Folks just need to be aware of the presence of COVID-19. I mean we’re not going to change our message. We’re still asking that folks get vaccinated. We’re asking that folks follow the CDC guidelines regarding masks. People just do need to be cognizant of the fact that COVID hasn’t gone anywhere.”
