MATTHEWS, N.C. — The Matthews Alive Festival, a Labor Day tradition in Matthews, has been canceled for the second year in a row due to COVID-19 concerns, it announced on Facebook.
The festival was originally scheduled for Sept. 3-6, but the board of directors voted unanimously to not hold the event.
“The safety, health, and wellness of festival partners and attendees remain a priority for this family-friendly event,” the festival said in a Facebook post.
Organizers had planned to proceed with added precautions. But in the end, medical professionals said that would not be enough.
The festival that has been held for 27 years was canceled last year, also due to the pandemic.
The decision is disappointing to residents and merchants who have relied on the festivals for the past 29 years for an entertaining good time to pad the bottom line.
Festival board members said they consulted infectious disease doctors with Novant Health and were told all of the numbers were going in the wrong direction.
“People are very disappointed. But quite frankly, there are more people understanding why we did what we did and, quite honestly, thanking us for keeping the best interest of the community at heart. This was a tough situation for everybody on the board,” said Jim Taylor, board member and former mayor.
Taylor said he is disappointed and believes too many people have let their guard down.
“This is not behind us. This is phase two and there may be a phase 3. I just wish people would recognize the professionals. The medical community is telling us what we should do to protect ourselves. I would encourage everybody to do the same,” he said.
Taylor said it would not have been possible to postpone the event. The board is going to go into greater detail to explain its decision on Monday.
The decision also has support from the Town of Matthews, as well as Presenting Sponsor Novant Health – Matthews Medical Center.
No other details have been released at this point.
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