Cranky Dorkfest is Officially Canceled for 2020


How can 2020 get worse, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you how. COVID-19 has now claimed its latest victim… Cranky Dorkfest. The event won’t be happening this year on September 12 as originally planned.

This year’s Dorkfest should have been happening two weeks from today, but I can’t in good conscience encourage anyone to gather, even if it is outdoors and socially-distant. As I write this, Los Angeles County is still on the watch list, and gatherings are prohibited. Sure, it’s possible this could be lifted between now and then, but it’s unlikely. And I don’t want to keep people waiting any longer.

Though it’s tempting not to consider this an actual “gathering” since the whole point is to just get a burger and hang out in the park, that’s splitting hairs to me. I still do not want to be promoting anything that could inadvertently end up with people congregating too close to each other and spreading the virus.

So, everyone find your home airport on the 12th and raise a burger high in the air as the sparse traffic departs overhead. We’ll do this again in person next year.

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Brett Avatar

22 responses to “Cranky Dorkfest is Officially Canceled for 2020”

  1. Johnny Jet Avatar

    Good call and F*&@ 2020

  2. Jan Avatar
    Jan

    Very smart, responsible decision! We shall miss you this year but hope to see everyone next year alive and well.

  3. Brian Coleman Avatar

    This breaks my heart, but it’s the right decision. Looking forward to seeing you (and everyone else) next year.

  4. mal Avatar
    mal

    We can all have our own socially distant dorkfest! at our own airports

  5. franmorley Avatar
    franmorley

    Hey, Cranky, here’s an idea. You suggest people go to their own airports on Sept 12. How about we all take that one step further and take photos to share of planes overhead? Another thought, you do a Zoom session and people take part with their phones from their airport locations. Thanks for all you do, BTW. I always enjoy your reports. Fran Morley Chattanooga, TN

    1. CF Avatar

      Fran – Appreciate the ideas. I’m not going to do a zoom, because I’ve had enough zooms to last a lifetime. But, I’m certainly more than happy to have people go out and take photos. Maybe I can put together a slideshow or something.

      1. franmorley Avatar
        franmorley

        I can certainly understand being Zoomed out! But it would be cool to see a bunch of photos. Got it on my calendar.

    2. Dave Avatar

      Fran, that’s a great idea! Everyone go to their closest airport and take a picture or two of anything noteworthy or conversational. Let’s make this the biggest (virtual) Cranky Dorkfest ever.

  6. Yo Avatar
    Yo

    Good call, no use adding to the problem. I’ve already had Covid (spoiler alert: its not fun), and I’d hate to see anyone get it, or unknowingly spread it!

    1. TC99 Avatar
      TC99

      Is that you, Michael Yo? We miss you from your time on Y-100, South Florida.

  7. ChuckMO Avatar
    ChuckMO

    I propose on Sept. 12 we all share some weird/funny/stupid story from our traveling past. You know, from the Good Ole Days.

  8. Douglas Swalen Avatar
    Douglas Swalen

    Not surprising. But what makes you think 2021 is going to be a significantly better scenario for plane spotting than 2020? Or that the virus is going to be sufficiently under control by next September? I wouldn’t put money on either proposition based on currently available information….

    1. CF Avatar

      Douglas – I choose to be more optimistic than that. If I assumed that next September was just as bad as this one, I don’t think I’d be able to function.

  9. Kishoreajoshi Avatar
    Kishoreajoshi

    Shocking, and yet utterly understandable…

  10. eleanor.c.moore Avatar
    eleanor.c.moore

    So sorry to hear this, Cranky! I have planned several times to join y’all, however I never made it. Whenever you plan the next one, I will do everything I can to get to your event.

    Ellie

  11. DesertGhost Avatar
    DesertGhost

    I’m seriously considering going to the former America West/US Airways office building in Tempe. But it’s too bad that Monti’s closed down a few years ago.

  12. Bricen M. Avatar
    Bricen M.

    Good call Brett. Fingers crossed for Dorkfest 2021! I wish good health to CF community, you, your family and the rest of the CF team. Take care, be safe and hope to see you all next year.

  13. dot Avatar
    dot

    Did not see the info on how many people can gather think it is 50 but did see that there is “NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF ATTENDEES FOR A PROTEST” thought that m was toooo funny.. we could call DORKFEST a Protest and be fine

    1. Douglas Swalen Avatar
      Douglas Swalen

      What would we protest? How bad In-N-Out’s fries are?

      Actually someone *should* protest how bad In-N-Out’s fries are…

      1. Hajime Sano Avatar
        Hajime Sano

        You should try In ‘n Out fries with their burger spread and grilled onions. That’s no extra charge. Some people go one step further and add cheese, for which they charge. I do it without the cheese, being lactose intolerant, and it is amazing! They serve it with a fork, since there’s no way you eat those babies with your fingers without making a huge mess.

  14. memmie leblanc Avatar
    memmie leblanc

    I’ll raise a piece of pie from the Spruce Goose Cafe at Jefferson Country Intl airport, cheers in advance

  15. Dave Avatar

    Sad that it had to work out this way, Brett, but you made the right call for sure. This was going to be a big deal for me … my first Dork Fest, my 75th birthday, and the loss of my In ‘n Out Burger virginity. But, oh well, there will be other times to watch airplanes, other burgers, and hopefully other birthdays. Thanks for all you do, and especially for making the right call.

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