Beech Tree News Network

A postponement has now turned into a cancellation for one local organization and a premiere event in Butler County.  The Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce has made it official - there will be no 2020 Green River Catfish Festival.  Other Chamber summer events have also been axed.  The decision was announced earlier today following a virtual meeting of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.  

“As we quickly approach the end of May, the Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce Board met to discuss the future of the Chamber and Chamber events for the remainder of 2020. While we are hopeful that COVID-19 is on the decline in our community, we must accept the reality that with social distancing guidelines and the health and safety of our community in mind, many of our much-anticipated Chamber events must be suspended for 2020,” stated Chamber officials per a news release.  

The Board vote to cancel the festival and other Chamber-related events was unanimous.  

“Though this decision has been difficult and disheartening, we hope to pick up where we left off with planning our 40th GRCF for July of 2021,” said Chamber officials.  

In other business, the Board voted to honor all current 2020 partnerships through December 2021. 

“The COVID-19 outbreak has caused us to suspend all luncheons for the remainder of the year, and we know that our valued partners have not received the full benefit of their 2020 partnership. We hope to more than make up for this in 2021,” according to the press relase.  “Our hearts go out to each of our partners whose businesses have been impacted by COVID-19. We are honored to be a part of this community, and we look forward to a time when we can gather again.”

Board members are Laurie Keen (president), Amber Smith (vice-president), Judge-Executive Tim Flener, Morgantown Mayor Billy Phelps, Superintendent Scott Howard, Robin Johnson, Andrea Hunt, Dana Phelps, Deneatra Henderson, Morgantown Police Chief Giles Taylor, Dwayne Haynes, Tristian Evans, Jesse Greathouse (executive director).