Canceled Riverfest organizers say they want same treatment as other Front Street events

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY-TV) — Following the city’s hosting of the American Craft Walk on Front Street this weekend, the president of Wilmington Riverfest is raising concerns about how the festival has been treated by city officials.

Wilmington Riverfest posted a video on Facebook claiming organizers requested the same layout used for the American Craft Walk but were not granted approval for the Oct. 3-4 festival.

Riverfest was canceled after organizers cited concerns about a proposed layout at a downtown parking lot.

Roderick Bell, president of Wilmington Riverfest, said he hopes the festival will be treated the same as other events held on Front Street moving forward.

“Well, I hope they just treat us like any other festival, right?” Bell said. “I mean, the economic impact that Riverfest brings to the city and downtown is huge. And they no longer have that coming Oct. 3 and the 4th.”

The cancellation has also prompted other events to try to fill the gap. Fermental Beer & Wine in Wilmington’s Cargo District is hosting “Liver-Fest,” a new event inspired by the canceled festival.

The city has disputed the characterization that Riverfest was treated unfairly.

In a previous statement to WWAY, a city spokesperson said the festival’s proposed footprint had changed in both size and location since the event’s inception.

“City staff have been working with Riverfest organizers since early spring to identify a workable location while accounting for anticipated construction on the Front Street bridge,” the spokesperson said.

The city said it offered multiple options intended to accommodate the elements Riverfest organizers wanted to include in the festival.

Riverfest organizers say they intend to continue working toward bringing the festival back to Front Street next year.