HICKORY, N.C.,None — The city of Hickory canceled a gay pride event that was supposed to take place on Saturday.
Catawba Valley Pride organizers of the event said that they are expecting 800 people to attend, and now are scrambling to find another location.
Pam Payne showed Channel 9's Dave Faherty some of the items she planned on taking to the Gay and Lesbian Pride event scheduled at LP Frans Stadium.
Organizers said they signed a contract with the stadium and had paid the $1,200 fee only to find out Tuesday night that the city had not approved it.
"When we got the call it was just shock. It was devastating," Payne said.
"I was hurt. I was hurt," said organizer Tara Bradley.
Channel 9 has learned the Hickory Crawdad, which leases the stadium from the city, can allow other events, but according to the contract signed in 2008, they must have written permission from Hickory City Council.
Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright explained why the city needs the advance notice, "Fire protection, security, parking, transportation in and out."
Even though the group signed its contract earlier this month with the stadium, the city didn't learn about the event until Tuesday when the stadium emailed them about possible protesters.
Faherty asked Wright if they had been notified several weeks ago, would the gay and lesbian pride event been approved?
"I can't believe they wouldn't have gotten four votes, and that's what they needed," he said.
The group said they've been promised they will get their $1,200 back.
Organizers told Faherty the event will happen and they are working hard to find another location.
Faherty also contacted the stadium's office asking them about the contract, but have not heard back.