Salisbury's annual Cheerwine Festival is still scheduled to take place this year but with new dates. Originally set for May, the event celebrating North Carolina's favorite cherry-flavored soft drink was moved to Saturday, September 18.
Salisbury City Manager W. Lane Bailey said the city was "cautiously optimistic" that COVID restrictions will ease throughout the year as more people get vaccinated.
"If restrictions on gatherings are lifted by the summer, we fully intend to welcome folks to Salisbury to celebrate Cheerwine," said Bailey. "However, we will move forwards with the 2021 Cheerwine Festival only with consideration and guidance from state and federal health care agencies."
Last year, the city had to cancel the festival, but held a successful virtual event, complete with live musical entertainment. They were even awarded an Innovative Program Award from the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Association.
Organizers for the festival are hopeful for this year's event and that rescheduling it for September will allow Cheerwine fans from all over to gather and celebrate.
"The health and well-being of our fans and everyone who has a hand in the festival is of utmost importance to us," said Joy Ritchie Harper, vice president of marketing for Cheerwine. "We're hopeful that by pushing the date back, we'll be able to move forward with this year's festivities."
Additional details for the festival will be announced later this year, including musical entertainment, vendor applications, T-shirt design contest, and more.
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