Perusing around for unique bites and artisan gifts will have to wait a little longer.

After a few weeks of mulling it over, Historic Fourth Avenue has decided to cancel the annual Winter Street Fair, which was supposed to take place on Friday, December 11 – Sunday, December 13.

The North Fourth Avenue Merchants Association said the following in a release:

“Without obtaining the proper permitting, we are unable to produce the 2020 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair. Our City officials along with our local Health Department are the guiding forces when it comes to issuing our permits. Each City is operating under their own guidance and regulations.”

Even though the annual street fairs represent “a significant portion of their annual income,” the news release still thanked the city and county officials for their “leadership and guidance” — ultimately helping them make the decision to cancel.

“To be able to have an event for over 50 years — it’s something the community loves,” said Monique Vallery, creative director of the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association. “So that’s hard, you know. We also know that our merchants are struggling and our locally-owned businesses are in trouble downtown, so the street fair has always been such a huge economic boost for them. When you have a lot of people down here, they’re shopping in our stores and they’re eating at the restaurants. They’re not just enjoying the fair, they’re enjoying the avenue.”

There is something to look forward to, though.

“We’re going to try to put together a virtual street fair, much like we did in the spring,” said Vallery. “So, people can still, even though they can’t come down to the fair, check out their favorite artists. We have so many people that come just to see the same artist every year, or they’re looking for that one unique thing.”

Additionally, the Fourth Avenue Spring Street Fair is still scheduled for Friday, March 19 – Sunday, March 21. The Fourth Avenue Merchants Association is hoping to be able to meet the desired protocols when the time comes.

To keep up with any other updates, visit fourthavenue.org.