Three major upcoming events–Mathews Market Days, the Guinea Jubilee and Autumn on Main & Vintage Market–have all been canceled as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. A joint statement was issued on Tuesday afternoon by Guinea Jubilee co-chairman Nick Bonniville on behalf of the Guinea Heritage Association, the Mathews Market Days Committee and Mathews Visitor and Information Center.

“After much consideration and collaboration, the Guinea Heritage Association’s Guinea Jubilee Committee, Mathews Market Days Committee, and Mathews Visitor and Information Center are jointly announcing the cancellation of community festivals for the second straight year due to COVID-19,” the release stated.

“The committees sought counsel from the Three Rivers Health District, which includes both Mathews and Gloucester counties. With the latest surge of the Delta variant, every jurisdiction in Virginia is in a high level of community transmission of COVID-19, which has not been seen even at the height of the January 2021 surge according to the Three Rivers Health District data. The communities’ health and safety is the highest priority for all organizations.

“The Guinea Jubilee, Mathews Market Days, and Autumn on Main & Vintage Market events have all been canceled. This was not an easy decision to make nor one taken lightly, but ultimately the well-being of our community is our priority. We know our local attendees, visitors, and vendors are disappointed, but we need to help prevent this virus from spreading, so we can get back to enjoying our regular activities.

“We’d all like to thank everyone who has helped us thus far in planning our events. We are all hopeful to bring them back in 2022,” the statement concluded.

Mathews Market Days had been scheduled for Sept. 11. The Guinea Jubilee was to be held on Sept. 24 and 25. Autumn on Main & Vintage Market was planned for the first Saturday in October in Mathews, which would have been Oct. 2.