Martial Arts History Museum cancels Dragonfest Expo
(NewMediaWire) - May 23, 2020 - Burbank, CA – As a result of the precautions ordered by the governor of California to avoid the spread of the Coronavirus and the prevention of large gatherings, the Martial Arts History Museum has decided to cancel the upcoming 16th Annual Dragonfest Cultural Expo that was scheduled for August 22 and 23 this year.
Dragonfest, which had planned to held at the Pickwick Gardens Convention Center in Burbank, had originally decided to postpone the event to a later date. However, due to the uncertainty of the re-opening of venues hosting large groups, it was determined that the expo be canceled for 2020.
“This has been an extremely hard time for the museum. We are not only ordered to temporarily close our doors since February, our largest fundraiser for the museum, Dragonfest, is being canceled as well,” says museum president Michael Matsuda. “This means that all those sponsorships, booth sales, and ticket sales won’t be there this year to support the museum. One hundred percent of all funds received went to keep the doors of the museum open so it’s going to be a tough road for us for quite some time.”
Dragonfest, which hosted the greatest and most popular icons of the martial arts including Don “the dragon” Wilson, Cynthia Rothrock, Michael Jai White, Benny Urquidez, Fumio Demura, Tak Kubota and so many more, will have to wait until 2021.
“The Pickwick Gardens, which has been host to the expo for the past two years had been the perfect place for the convention. With room to expand, Dragonfest was able to spill into other areas of the facility,” added Matsuda. “With the closure of so many businesses, I am hoping the facility will still be there for us next year.”
Workout facilities such as gyms, training centers, and especially martial arts schools, have had the most difficult times during this pandemic. Unlike restaurants, which can at least choose to remain open for delivery services, martial arts schools have been forced to temporarily close down.
“Many of these schools are completely dependent on the monthly payments from their students and new enrollments. Even when businesses are allowed to re-open, many of those schools may have closed down as a result of them being unable to pay their rent,” says Matsuda.
According to Matsuda, the museum plans to host the 16th annual event next year in August and if available, to return to the Pickwick Gardens.
For information about Dragonfest visit www.dragonfest.com. For information about the Martial Arts History Museum, visit www.MAmuseum.com or visit their facility at 2319 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506.
