GLOUCESTER COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) – The first day of the Gloucester Daffodil Festival was canceled Friday afternoon due to anticipated high winds.
Gloucester’s Emergency Management Department, and the County’s Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department made the decision to cancel Saturday’s Daffodil Festival activities, including the parade, out of an abundance of caution.
The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Advisory for the area for most of Saturday and forecast wind gusts could reach higher than 45 miles per hour.
The festival will still take place on Sunday and the organizers have extended the hours to have the festival open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Many of the events scheduled for Saturday will be rescheduled to Sunday, including the Amazing Mutt Show, the Opening Ceremony, and more.
“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.
Visitors who are planning to attend the festival on Sunday can find the updated schedule by the end of the day Friday on the Gloucester Daffodil Festival website.
