Festival goers make best of wet day
Published 9:57 pm Sunday, July 7, 2013
As much heart as several dozen people put into braving the weather to enjoy this year’s 51st annual Columbus Fabulous Fourth, the weather found a way to dampen the festival.
Around noon Thursday, July 4 Columbus officials made the decision to postpone the town’s annual fireworks show until Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2.
“We hate that we had to cancel the fireworks as we know it’s a treat for a lot of families but the conditions called for us to be cautious. We’ll try again on Labor Day,” said Columbus Police Chief Chris Beddingfield.
A release from the Town of Columbus said significant rainfall over the past week caused site conditions off Hampton Court to prevent technicians from gaining adequate access to the site where the fireworks are typically set off.
Officials said more details would be available in the next two weeks, but that the event would include the full fireworks display as well as vendors present during the afternoon.
In Landrum, residents attempted to make the most if it too for that city’s first Family Fourth event.
Landrum Area Business Association (LABA) member Ellen Henderson said the LABA was happy to see a number of people come out despite the soggy atmosphere.
“It really did turn out surprisingly well considering the on again-off again rain,” Henderson said. “The Lions Club sold out of hot dogs; the farmers were pleased with sales and the bands played on.”