The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that due, in part, to the slow roll out of vaccines and the rapid growth and spread of variants of the coronavirus that it will be suspending the 114th Rhododendron Festival. Concerns over enforcement of social distancing both for the carnival and the vendor fair was an important part of the decision. President and CEO of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, Bettina Hannigan said it was like trying to hit a moving target with the constant changes from the State of Oregon. The annual Rhody Festival brings in about $147 million dollars annually.