NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) – New Bern’s MumFest has been canceled.
MumFest organizers say they’ve made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s celebrations due to the forecasted rain and wind.
“It’s kind of upsetting because I know a lot of people look forward to the Mumfest every year,” New Bern resident Maggie Heath said.
Union Point Park was flooded Friday morning, causing closures on nearby streets.
“It’s kind of sad, you know, we wanted to come out for the festival and they wanted to enjoy it, but now we’re just going to play in the water, I guess,” visitor Melissa Webb said.
The event was set to open to the public tomorrow at 10 a.m. Saturday.
MumFest will not be rescheduled for this year.
“We were sincerely hoping to hold this event despite a daunting forecast, as it has been so beloved and well-supported by this community for more than 40 years. Unfortunately, the weather is not cooperating with our desires, and we would never jeopardize anyone’s safety. Swiss Bear feels that this is the right thing to do, and please know that we are just as disappointed as you are,” organizers shared in a press release.
Now, after days of prepping for Mumfest, rides and decorations are being taken down around the city.
Swiss Bear executive director Karen Sullivan says that there will be a negative economic impact with Mumfest’s cancellation, with out-of-town visitors no longer coming and hotel stays getting canceled.
You can’t stop the music, though! Sullivan says they will still have live performances from the festival’s main stage bands that will perform at Blackbeard’s Triple Play restaurant and Baxter’s 1892 throughout the weekend.
“Downtown is still going to be open! It’s going to be rainy, but you can bring your umbrella and still shop at our downtown stores, at our restaurants, and just still be part of downtown. It’s just going to be Mumfest music this year,” Sullivan said.
Union Point Park flooded(WITN)
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