PRIEST RIVER — The biggest celebration of the summer season for logging-enthusiasts, huckleberry pancake lovers and lawn mower racers has been rescheduled. And yes, COVID-19 is to blame.

After 29 consecutive years of celebration, the Priest River Chamber of Commerce has decided to err on the side of caution and postpone the 30th annual Timber Days event until 2021.

“Everybody around us was canceling and everybody wanted to come here,” said Mayor Jim Martin at the July 6 city council meeting.

Timber Days is a long-standing tradition in the Priest River community that celebrates rich history and accomplishments within the timber industry. Through innovation of the city’s first sawmill in 1897, lumber became a valuable commodity in Priest River and served as a basis of their economy.

Traditionally, loggers trek from all over the United States and Canada to compete in the Timber Days events ranging from log throwing to sawing and chopping wood.

Although the 30th anniversary was set to take place July 24-25, the decision made by the chamber of commerce was largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has been resurging in numerous regions nationwide including North Idaho.

With stringent social distance protocol and event cancellations in surrounding communities, Martin said the city would have been particularly vulnerable to overcrowding at the event. He, and the chamber of commerce, did not want to contribute to added health risk.

“We were going to have thousands of people,” Martin said. “With the spike in cases, I think this was the right call to make.”

Instead the city is encouraging citizens to follow recommendations made by Panhandle Health District and CDC including social distancing and limitations on gatherings.

When Priest River Chamber of Commerce first began planning the 2020 event there were on average 30-35 confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide per day, Martin said. On Tuesday there were nearly 500 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 25 new to the Panhandle region.

Dates have not yet been determined for the 2021 Timber Days event.

Aly De Angelus can be reached by email at adeangelus@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @AlyDailyBee.