We have been holding out hope that the weather forecast would improve closer to our event scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18, but with the weather outlook even worse Thursday morning, with potentially hypothermic and slick trail riding conditions and likelihood of more people packed close together under tents, we have made the tough but responsible decision to cancel Spokatopia. 

Usually Spokatopia is pretty safe with very few minor injuries and is spread out and would be pretty safe from a COVID perspective. But with an 80-90% chance of rain, 10-15 mph winds, and cooler temps in the forecast; an increased chance of people getting hurt or hypothermic; and the increased chance of participants spreading COVID while packed closer together under tents all increase the chance that the event could add more people to our overburdened hospitals. That risk just isn’t worth it. 

Hopefully we will be able to make Spokatopia 2022 happen and you can all be a part of it then.

Stay tuned for ticket refund news in your Inbox.

From the Spokatopia website: If we end up having to cancel Spokatopia 2021 due to COVID by September 1, 2021, we will automatically refund all online ticket purchases. After September 1, if we are required to cancel the event due to COVID restrictions, air quality, extreme weather, or some other unforeseen disaster, we will credit your ticket purchase towards the 2022 event. Planning and putting on this event is a ton of work, and we appreciate your understanding and help to make future Spokatopias possible!

The post Spokatopia 2021 Canceled appeared first on Out There Venture.

Spokatopia ticket holders can try kayaks and paddleboards, ride the trails at Camp Sekani with a shuttle, watch talented riders perform in the jump park, listen to live music from an adult beverage garden benefitting Evergreen East, take an outdoor skills clinic or join a group ride, participate in kids bike demos and other kids’ activities, join a trail run or yoga class, and more. (For a complete schedule of activities, visit spokatopia.com/schedule.)

Spokatopia takes place outdoors on over 1,000 acres of parkland, trails, and water with plenty of natural social distancing built into this fun outdoor event. But organizers of the event from Out There Venture, which publishes this magazine, are adding additional precautions to make the event even more safe, including limiting attendance (tickets are available online and at the event while remaining tickets last), spacing out all group activities to ensure plenty of space for physical distancing, encouraging vaccination and masks, and adding hand cleaning and sanitizer stations and signs reminding people to give each other space around the event.

Get tickets online in advance in case they sell out and read more about the event’s evolving COVID/Safety policies and procedures at Spokatopia.com.

For more stories about Spokatopia, visit the OTO archives.

[Feature photo by Rachael and Josh Photography]

The post Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival Adapts to COVID appeared first on Out There Venture.

Moving Spokatopia from its normal early July date this year will increase the odds that many of the events, races, and activities will be able to happen and attendance won’t need to be heavily restricted.

Attendees this year can expect the same bicycle-centric festival vibe, with activities ranging from groups mountain bike rides and clinics, shuttles for downhill-only riding on Camp Sekani trails, a mountain bike jump show, bikes and brews adult beverage garden supporting Evergreen East, spectator-friendly small group bicycle races and competitions, kids bike demos and activities, live music, vendors, paddleboard demos, and more.

Visit Spokatopia.com or social media — Spokatopia Facebook & Instagram — for updates as ticket sales may be limited this year.

Scenes from previous Spokatopia events. Covid is changing some ways the festival functions but the event will still be just as fun.

To read past Spokatopia news and stories, visit the OTO archives.

[Feature photo by Rachel and Josh Photography.]

The post Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival Moves to September 18, 2021 appeared first on Out There Venture.