Fort Worth’s Sundance Square cancels events, including Hincapie Gran Fondo
Public and private events in Sundance Square have been canceled through the end of the month, managers of the downtown Fort Worth plaza announced Thursday, citing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.
The square will still be open to the public during normal hours, but events planned in Sundance Square, including those in the plaza and pavilion, have been scrubbed through March 31, 2020. Sundance Square principals Sasha and Ed Bass said in a statement the decision was made in light of the growing spread of the new coronavirus, sometimes called COVID-19, across the country and in Tarrant County.
“The health and safety of our community is our top priority and we did not make this decision lightly,” the statement said. “We understand that the cancellation of events that our community looks forward to brings disappointments and frustrations. Our team is working hard to ensure that Sundance Square will continue to be a hub for our community.”
Upcoming events affected by the decision include the Alcon Build for Habitat for Humanity and the 2020 Hincapie Gran Fondo bike race. Officials with both events are assessing whether to postpone or cancel. The Gran Fondo, which was scheduled to start and finish in Sundance Square March 28, may reroute, a Sundance spokeswoman said.
Coronavirus, which causes a flu-like illness that includes respiratory issues and fever, has prompted the cancellation or delay of dozens of public events in Texas and across the country.
The American Athletic Conference men’s basketball tournament, the first college basketball tournament to be played in Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena, was going to be played without fans, but the conference announced Thursday morning the entire tournament was canceled. The NCAA announced Wednesday the men’s and women’s college championship games will be closed to the public. The Big 12 also announced that its men’s and women’s basketball tournament games in Kansas City, Mo., will be closed to fans beginning Thursday, but fans did attend the men’s tournaments two opening games Wednesday night at Sprint Arena.
Dallas’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade scheduled for Saturday was canceled due to coronavirus fears. A Chris Stapleton concert scheduled for this weekend at Globe Life Field in Arlington has been postponed.
In Fort Worth, a priest tested presumptive positive in the first case in Tarrant County. Other cases have been reported in Dallas and Collin counties.
