When Cory Hemilright launched his bluegrass festival on the Outer Banks of North Carolina a few years ago, everyone familiar with weather on these flimsy barrier islands in late summer wondered how long it would be before bad weather would affect this large outdoor event. Hurricanes and nor’easters are often features of the September and October forecasts, whose driving rain and high winds can wreak havoc on the beach communities that line the shores of the Outer Banks.
The festival’s debut in 2012 saw simply beautiful weather, though a bit of rain resulted in moving some of the shows indoors. The clouds cooperated agin the next two years, abut an ugly storm bearing down on the islands this weekend has forced their hand.
Today it was announced that while Thursday’s show will go on as scheduled, all events for Friday and Saturday have been cancelled. This includes the highly-anticipated reunion concert from Cherryholmes, and the big Boomgrass fireworks display that has been a highlight each year.
The following statement was released earlier today:
We regretfully inform you that we have decided to cancel the next two days of the festival after thoroughly examining the weather situation based on the information we have received. The show will continue through this evening. Anyone who has purchased tickets for Friday or Saturday will receive a rain check valid for the next 2 years. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and hope you’ll join us next year. Although there is disapointment our first concern is for the safety of everyone on Bluegrass Island.
Events all along the North Carolina and Virginia coasts are being cancelled for this weekend, when end-of-the-summer festivals and happenings are regularly celebrated. Hopefully these communities will escape serious damage and injury as the storm makes landfall.
