NC 4th of July Festival in Southport canceled due to COVID-19

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — An iconic festival in Brunswick County has been canceled for the first time in more than 200 years.

“The July 4th Celebration in Southport has been an iconic event for over 200 years. This year, due to the need for instituting public health mitigation measures for the protection of our city, our citizens, and our state, it is my recommendation during this COVID-19 Pandemic, that the Fourth of July Festival in 2020, this celebration of independence and freedom, be cancelled to assist in stopping the spread of this contagious disease,” said Southport Mayor Joe Pat Hatem, MD. “This was a difficult decision, but the most prudent one and will overall prevent disease and save lives.”

This would have been the festival’s 225th year. The history of North Carolina’s Fourth of July Festival celebration was first recorded in a newspaper in 1795. Now the event has grown to attract over 60,000 visitors each year.

The decision has residents and business owners questioning why that outcome was decided upon right now.

“I think that is a little bit premature and I was you know, its three months,” says Southport business owner Renee Ward. “I mean this is something that Southport actually needs to survive.”

Through the years it’s the efforts of civic groups and citizens that has allowed the festival to evolve to encompass a wide variety of American celebration traditions.

The celebration also drives revenue up annually, a lump sum that some businesses depend on year-round.

“Over 60,000 visitors come down every year, once a year for this,” says Ward. “And we look forward to that, we look forward to the revenue, we look forward to the camaraderie, we have to have that.”

Business owners know that safety is the primary concern right now, and all they want is a sense of normalcy, in their personal lives and in the area economy.

“Were trying to get back to normal that’s all we really want is to get back to some normal and try to get back what were we’ve lost and were never going to get back what we’ve lost this year, but at least trying to recoup some of it,” Ward says.

The NC 4th of July festival committee acknowledged the strain on businesses in a press release, saying in part:

“We are all aware of the challenges we face the COVID-19 environment. Many individual and families continue to be affected by the virus. Our heart goes out those that are sick and caregivers and those mourning the loss of a loved one,” the NC 4th of July festival committee wrote in a news release. “Our local business community for the most part is at a stand-still and those that are operating their efforts are largely focused on serving the public’s essential needs.”

All City of Southport public events are also canceled through Labor Day.