A long-running First Coast tradition has fallen victim to the pandemic.
Pete’s Bar in Neptune Beach has announced it will not be holding its annual Thanksgiving celebration this year.
The bar’s ownership, which has hosted the largely outdoor celebration for the past 35 consecutive years, said they could not in good conscience hold the event this year.
“As much as we love to hold this event, it would simply be impossible for us to maintain social distancing. And everyone’s health is our main concern,” the owners wrote on their Facebook page.
Pete’s Bar said it is working with Neptune Beach to see if the bar might be able to hold a “fashionably late” Thanksgiving street party sometime early in 2021.
The owners are hopeful they will be able to resume the event for Thanksgiving 2021.
The neighborhood beach bar has become a First Coast institution over its 87 years, with thousands making their way to the Beaches Town Center each year for the annual Thanksgiving street party.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
