2016 Wilmington Riverfest rescheduled for November despite hurdles
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The 2016 Wilmington Riverfest will now take place in November after Hurricane Matthew created a few obstacles for re-scheduling.
Riverfest was scheduled for October 8-10, but that was the weekend Hurricane Matthew hit the Cape Fear. Riverfest Chairman Chris Snowden said it will now be held on November 18-20. That is the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Snowden said it was not easy finding another weekend, because October and November are busy for events including the Cape Fear Fair & Expo and Cucalorus.
“Because we have to close off streets, there are rules with the city that, if there are other street closures in place, we can’t also have street closures,” Snowden said. “We were encouraged by people involved with the fair not to have our festival on the same weekend as their last weekend of the fair. We tried for the 11,12, 13, which is Cucalorous.”
Snowden said the flooding on Water Street right now would be an issue for their vendors.
This is not the first time Riverfest has been re-scheduled. Last year, Snowden said they moved it to the weekend before Thanksgiving, because of Tropical Storm Joaquin. He said it was very successful for vendors.
Snowden said they will work with their vendors who have conflicts. He said vendors can put their fees towards the event next year or they will re-reimburse them if they need to.
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