The Abingdon Ruritan Club’s Fall Seafood Festival, which had been planned for the third Wednesday in October, has been canceled, and those who had purchased tickets have until Nov. 2 to get a refund, the club announced this week.
Those who had purchased tickets for the spring 2020 festival (which was likewise canceled) and had requested the club to hold those tickets for the fall event also need to make a decision on whether to get a refund or donate the money to the club by that date, the club said.

If you want a refund and paid with check or cash, return your tickets with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Abingdon Ruritan Club, P.O. Box 22, Bena, Va. 23018 no later than Nov. 2. Tickets received after this date cannot be refunded.

If you paid with PayPal, return your tickets along with your name and address to Abingdon Ruritan Club, P.O. Box 22, Bena, Va. 23018 by that date and your credit card will be updated in the PayPal system.

Those seeking a refund are encouraged to keep a record of the ticket numbers that you return, since the club is not responsible for tickets lost in the mail.

If you do not want a refund and wish to donate the cost of the tickets to the Abingdon Ruritan Club, you can either do nothing or, if you wish to receive a written acknowledgment of your charitable deduction, send a written request with your name, address and ticket numbers you are donating to the mailing address, the club said.

Tickets will not be honored at any subsequent Seafood Festival and will be void after Nov. 2.

“As you know, over the past 40 years, the Seafood Festivals have provided us the opportunity to give back to the community through multiple donations made possible because of your support,” a club release stated.

Recipients of the club’s philanthropy include volunteer fire and rescue, academic scholarships, local services for youth, seniors and adult care, Scouting programs, the Gloucester Housing Partnership, Hunters for the Hungry, local food pantries, 4-H camp, hospice and efforts to fight cancer.

“Now, because of the pandemic, our ability to make donations is critically impaired,” the release stated. “We are cautiously optimistic that we may have a 2021 Spring Festival, so stay tuned!”