The annual Poetry in the Woods event at IslandWood has been canceled due to concerns over the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

IslandWood officials announced the cancelation of the event Thursday.

“Although we were very much looking forward to welcoming you to Poetry in the Woods this weekend, out of an abundance of caution, we are canceling the event,” IslandWood said on its website.

“Recent King County recommendations aimed at reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 have suggested avoiding bringing large groups together. Your safety, and the safety of our staff and community at large, are of the utmost importance to us. While it saddens us to have to cancel a weekend of bringing people together — something we are extremely passionate about doing — we know this is the right decision for all,” the announcement said.

IslandWood said the event, now in its eighth year, is being rescheduled for Nov. 6–8.

This year’s Poetry in the Woods was scheduled to feature renowned poet, author, and speaker David Whyte.

Refunds will be made for issue a refund to those who can’t attend the event in November.

There have been other cancellations of large events in Puget Sound in the past few days.

Washington State Parks announced Thursday that the 2020 Holi Celebration — the Festival of Colors — at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah has been called off.

The decision was made due to concerns about coronavirus, and was based on recommendations from King County Public Health.

The Womxn’s March planned in Seattle for Sunday, March 8 will now be an online event.

The march had earlier been planned for Jan. 18 but was postponed due to snow. The online event will be hosted at https://www.facebook.com/events/1265882636940368/.

On Bainbridge, an upcoming open house about the Blakely Harbor Park cleanup site has been cancelled.

The open house had been scheduled for Tuesday, March 10.

“Due to recent King County Public Health recommendations about COVID-19 and Bainbridge Island’s proximity to Seattle, we are using an abundance of caution and canceling our March 10 open house,” Cheryl Ann Bishop of the Department of Ecology said in an email Thursday.

Instead, an online webinar will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 (online registration is at http://bit.ly/blakely-harbor-webinar).

The talent show that was scheduled for this month at the Bainbridge Island Senior Center has been postponed, said BISC executive director Reed Price.

The show is now planned for Saturday, May 16.