The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Advisory for our area for most of the day Saturday. The forecast wind gusts could reach higher than 45 miles per hour. After consulting with Gloucester’s Emergency Management Department, the County’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department had to make the difficult decision to cancel Saturday’s Daffodil Festival activities, including the Parade, out of an abundance of caution. The festival will still be held on Sunday, with extended hours.
Sunday hours will now have the festival open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Many of Saturday’s events will be rescheduled to Sunday, including the Amazing Mutt Show, Opening Ceremonies and more. The indoor Daffodil Show at Newington Baptist Church will take place Saturday and Sunday as normal. Tours of Brent & Becky’s Bulbs will take place on Sunday only.
An updated schedule of events for Sunday will be posted on the Daffodil Festival’s website at www.daffodilfestivalva.org before the end of the day today. Unfortunately, the Good Shot Judy outdoor concert scheduled for Saturday will have to be canceled.
“Canceling the parade and Saturday’s events was an extremely difficult decision to make,” said Katey Legg, Gloucester’s Director of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. “However, we want to make our participants’ safety top priority.” She said with floats made of various material that could easily blow off them, it would adversely impact the safety of those viewing the parade. There is also the high potential that vendor tents, merchandise and setups would present a danger to visitors with the high winds that are anticipated.
Festival staff members are working diligently to communicate with vendors and the public the changes to the festival. The shuttle from the Gloucester High School parking lot to the festival will run from 8:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Sunday only.
Since this is such a fluid situation, Legg encourages residents and visitors to monitor Gloucester’s social media channels and the festival’s website, www.daffodilfestivalva.org, for updates.