EMERALD ISLE — Emerald Isle officials announced Wednesday the town’s annual Beach Music Festival, scheduled to take place Saturday, has been canceled because of hazardous weather conditions anticipated from a developing storm off the southeast coast.
A low-pressure system, possibly tropical or at least subtropical, is expected to bring heavy rain and high winds to the area over the weekend.
“It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the cancellation of the 2023 Emerald Isle Beach Music Festival, scheduled for this Saturday, September 23, due to unforeseen weather conditions,” the town said in a statement Wednesday.
“We understand how eagerly many of you were anticipating this event, and we share your disappointment. The safety and well-being of our attendees, artists and staff are our top priorities, and given the current weather forecasts, we cannot ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
“While we are deeply disappointed by this turn of events, we want to assure you that the decision was not made lightly. We have explored all available options and consulted with local authorities and experts to make this difficult choice.
“We understand that many of you were looking forward to a weekend filled with music and fun, and we share your disappointment,” the statement continued. “However, your safety is our top concern, and we believe this is the most responsible course of action under the circumstances.
“We want to extend our gratitude to the artists, vendors, sponsors, and everyone who has been part of planning this event. Your support means the world to us, and we hope to bring you an even better experience in the future.
“Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe,” the statement continued. “We look forward to welcoming you back to the Emerald Isle Beach Music Festival in the future when we can all enjoy the music and the beach without any concerns about the weather.”
The festival was set to run from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Western Ocean Regional Access off Louise Avenue, and the free event was to feature some of the biggest and most venerable acts in the genre, including Too Much Sylvia on the stage overlooking the ocean and beach, followed by the legendary Chairmen of the Board, The Embers, The Tams and The Tonez.
The festival is one of the town’s signature events, along with the St. Patrick’s Festival and the Emerald Isle Marathon.
It was revived in 2016 after a 17-year absence. It began in the early 1980s when Ronnie Watson, then owner of the Holiday TravL Park, and partner Steve Matthews began bringing in beach bands to the business to attract visitors during the fall “shoulder” season.
It lasted until 1999 when it appeared to have outgrown its site and to have outlived its welcome with too much traffic and a bit too much Bacchanalia.
Beach music lived on in Carteret and Onslow counties in performances at festivals and small clubs, live and on jukeboxes. In 2015, Frank Rush, then town manager, proposed bringing back the festival as a shoulder-season counterpart of the St. Patrick’s Festival, which usually draws 25,000 to 30,000 people to town in mid-March.
Source : Carolina Coast Online
