Organizers announce cancellation of 2020 Spring Water Festival

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2022

Organizers of the Spring Water Festival announced this week that the town’s signature event will be cancelled.

The Town of Williamston was to host the two day festival August 21 and 22. It was supposed to be the 39th annual.

Spring Water Festival Chairman David Meade said, “With lingering concerns with COVID-19 and health concerns of three key members and some support people, it is in the best interest to cancel this year’s festival.”

“It just wouldn’t be safe for most of our committee members at this time,”
Meade said that as recent as the last week in June, the committee was moving forward with plans for the festival, but with the decision by several of the committee members that the health concern was too great, it became apparent that festival organizers, which are already short on help, would be stretched to thin to make it happen.

Through the years the annual festival has weathered record heat, threatening rain, and even one hurricane. It went on despite obstacles. When Williamston Park Committee members decided to disband, the Town of Williamston took over organizing the annual festival. When the town went through financial problems, the Spring Water Festival was on the list of things that could be cut out.
Longtime supporters of the festival, David Meade and Steve Ellison decided to put the word out for volunteers to keep the festival going, and a group of about 13 people showed up for the first meeting.

They refiled for non-profit status as the Springwater Committee and organized the festival. They also took on the tradition of decorating Christmas Park with committee member Dianne Lollis organizing the event, along with support from the town.

The Springwater Committee also expanded the festival from one day on Saturday to include Friday evening activities.

“I wish we could have it, the 39th year, but it isn’t meant to be,” Meade said. “Hopefully when we get over this COVID situation, we can look at resuming in 2021.”

“I wish we could have it, the 39th year, but it isn’t meant to be,” Meade said. “Hopefully when we get over this COVID situation, we can look at resuming in 2021.”

Thanks to all of of our visitors, vendors and organizers for your support of the Spring Water Festival and hope to see you soon!