MONTEAGLE — The 17th Annual Trails and Trilliums festival and related Wild Azalea Gala fundraiser are both being postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Friends of South Cumberland State Park (FSC), which offers both events to help raise awareness and funding for its work on behalf of the park, will announce rescheduling plans for both events once the current health crisis has subsided, according to FSC Board President John Hille.

The events, both of which were scheduled for April 17-19, included group gatherings that had potential for facilitating virus spread. FSC Treasurer Rich Wyckoff said the Friends will be refunding fees to guests who have already pre-registered.

“Given the current guidance from the federal government, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control, we felt it was in everyone’s best interest that we do our part to prevent community spread of the Covid-19 virus,” Hille said. “We are also in the process of contacting our sponsors and suppliers to explain our decision and discuss options going forward.”

Margaret Matens, FSC’s Trails and Trilliums Chair, said that Tennessee State Parks remain open, and are a welcoming place for people to get out and enjoy nature in wide-open spaces.

“Our park is especially beautiful in the springtime, when the waterfalls and wildflowers are spectacular. We invite everyone to come visit the park, enjoy the fresh air, and take a break from the stress and disruptions of the current situation.”

For more information about planning a socially-distanced visit to the park, visit FriendsOfSouthCumberland.org/plan-your-visit.•

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