Tucson's Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair has been canceled.
"This is another heartbreaking development that we have spent the last several weeks monitoring," said a news release Wednesday from the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association. "Based on all the reliable information related to our region and relying on our local health department professionals to determine the best course for the 2020 Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair."
Pima County and Tucson officials had recently created a new special event permitting process for events with more than 50 people, as a state-wide order from Gov. Doug Ducey has banned gatherings of that size.
Health department officials have asked for permit applications to be submitted as least three weeks in advance to work so they can work with event organizers to ensure the best safety protocols will be in place.
In its release, the merchant's association said they opted to focus on the Spring Street Fair, scheduled for March 19-21, and that they "appreciate and support the leadership and guidance of the City of Tucson and the Pima County Health Department."
"We understand this is a major disappointment for the hundreds of artists and the
thousands of folks who look forward to this event," the release said. "While the Street Fair represents a significant portion of their annual income, we encourage you to visit your own Fourth Avenue Merchants every day of the year!"
Photos: 50th Annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Julie Axon, left, and Suzie Martini, residents of Phoenix, Ariz., check out Leo Aguirre's (not pictured) hand crafted bottled wind chimes during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Hundreds of people walk past arts and crafts booths during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Hundreds of people walk past arts and crafts booths during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Dee Carter looks at Levi Koenen's, owner of The Lost Highway Sign Co., robot lamps with her husband during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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A gratitude, created by Jennifer Utsch, hangs on the corner of Utsch booth during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Jodi Schnabel looks at ornaments at an art booth during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Two people walk past Harmony Tie-Dyes booth during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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A customer looks at turquoise ornaments during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Rebecca Fabos looks through records from Hurricane Records during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Diana Lopez looks at print artist Jere Dean's work during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Jennifer Oakes, employee for Pigglys, places lobster on the grill during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Hundreds of people walk past arts and crafts booths during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Andrea Palmer looks at magnets created by Brady Teig and Elizabeth Teig of West Kept Secret during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Dustin Schnabel, left, and his wife Jodi Schnabel look at ornaments at an art booth during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Margaret Wade looks at tie-dye shirts at Harmony Tie-Dyes booth during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on North Fourth Avenue on Dec. 13, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Bunny Bookwalter, first time shopper at the Fourth Avenue Street Fair, looks at the caramel apples from San Francisco Chocolate Factory's booth during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Hundreds of people walk past arts and crafts booths during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Sherry and Jerry Gartner look at nature paintings during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair in 2019.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
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Hundreds of people walk past arts and crafts booths during the 50th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair on N. 4th Ave. on December 13th, 2019.
