Covid-19 continues to be a health consideration for our world and community.

In August 2024, Congress voted to end funding for the Bridge Access program which previously provided free Covid-19 vaccines to all US Citizens and in August 2025, the Food and Drug Administration limited eligibility and access for the Covid-19 shots to adults 65 and older or those who are “high risk” for severe disease.

Recent government-initiated changes in eligibility criteria for the 2025-2026 season Covid-19 vaccine mean that our past vaccination requirement is not feasible for our 2026 event.

Because of that, we are shifting our policy this year to recommending Covid-19 vaccination at least two weeks before the event for anyone eligible to get the vaccine, especially vulnerable populations at risk of serious complications from Covid-19 infection. The full list of eligibility criteria is still being developed and may change as we get closer to the event. We suggest that if you are currently eligible to be vaccinated, that you do so for your own benefit as well as the benefit of those around you.

At the event, masking is recommended for anyone at risk of serious complications from COVID-19 infection as well as anyone who is concerned about contracting Covid-19 for any other reason.

We also recommend that everyone attending our event test for Covid-19 daily starting before traveling and continuing every day until the conclusion of our event.

Anyone who contracts Covid-19 7 days or less before the start of our event is asked to stay home and notify [email protected] before the start of the event. Tickets not used due to Covid-19 infection will be forwarded to next year’s event without penalty.

Being aware of your status is attractive and polite. If you test on the Friday of our event before registration and can show a picture of your negative test, we will give you a special sticker for your badge!

If you test daily each and every day of our event and submit proof electronically promptly each day, we would like to thank you by entering you into a drawing for a free ticket to next year’s event!