County Judge: Continue Planning Local Events

County Judge Joe Weber is encouraging organizers of church picnics, community celebrations and other local events to continue planning.

“We can’t just stop,” Weber said in an interview with the Record on Tuesday. “I don’t know what the ‘new norm’ is. I’m the kind of guy who thinks we can get back to the norm, not the ‘new norm.’ We’ve got to start doing that, and that means planning some of these events.”

He said organizers may have to make changes for events taking place later this year. For example, events may have to change the way they serve meals or implement social distancing measures.

“We should still continue to plan, because things might get better before then,” Weber said. “We need things that are healthy, positive for the community and safe.”

“We’re a county of 26,000 people and we only have one or two in the hospital right now,” he added. “People are getting better and recovering. We’re in a good county to work our way out of this.”

Weber specifically mentioned the Fall Antiques Show in Round Top and Warrenton. He said he is already seeing for sale signs at some of the event venues in the area.

“People are getting out of it,” he said.

Weber issued an order in March cancelling the Spring Antiques Shows back just days before the start.

He said a big decision for him looms about the status of the Fall Antiques Show. Weber said he may make a decision about the fate of the show later this summer.

“If we don’t have an October show, it could be a big impact economically,” Weber said. “I’m hearing people say it’s a big deal. If we cancel it again, they’ll be done, out of business.”