MOUNT DORA, Fla. — City leaders decided to cancel this year's Light Up Mount Dora because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

The annual event attracted a record crowd last year.

What You Need To Know

  • Last year's Light Up Mount Dora drew at least 50,000 people

  • City leaders said they will put up extra lights downtown

  • Popup events and fun activities also will be scheduled

  • Vendors say the cancellation will cost them significantly

“Last year we had between 50,000 and 60,000 people here in town square,” Rachel O’Ryan of the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce said.

In a twist, the successful attendance is what led to this year's cancellation because of the challenge of social distancing and other ways of keeping people safe during the pandemic.

That will hurt some vendors.

Ron Weltmer of Lake County makes wooden safes by hand and sells them at special events to supplement his retirement income. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“Fifteen at a show. But now there's no shows,” Weltmer said. “No shows. So none of these are being sold.

“Our shows have been cut totally cut -- for the season.”

Earlier this fall, Mount Dora also canceled its nationally recognized annual craft fair.

This year would have marked Light Up Mount Dora’s 40th anniversary.

The city still plans to move forward with other events that will allow for social distancing.

“We're literally trying to figure out how to bring people in all month long or all six weeks for a period of time, giving them activities that are popup activities and fun activities,” O'Ryan said.

The city also plans to add thousands more lights throughout the downtown.

Those types of extra efforts are fun for visitors but frustrating for vendors like Weltmer.

“It's been a tremendous financial burden,” Weltmer said.