The state of North Carolina is slowly getting back up to speed and, every so often you hear in the news of a summer event that’s still going to take place.
However, High Point’s major Uncle Sam Jam isn’t one of those. The High Point Parks and Recreation Department has announced that the Uncle Sam Jam 2020 and Fireworks Celebration has been cancelled due to safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event was originally scheduled for, when else, Saturday, July 4.
According to a Friday, May 15 press release, “The uncertainty surrounding social gathering maximums related to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with our department’s goal of providing a safe, enjoyable environment for the event, played major roles in our decision.”
The release also stated that parks and recreation officials explored ways to hold a modified version of the event, but nothing was feasible due to the very large crowds that the celebration brings out each year.
“Alternative plans were considered,” the press release notes, “and every effort was made to move forward with the event. However, with crowds traditionally ranging from 12,000-14,000 people, the decision was made to cancel in the best interests and safety of our community.”
High Point Parks and Recreation officials said they appreciate everyone’s understanding of the need to cancel the event over safety concerns and they also said that they fully expect there to be a blowout Uncle Sam Jam on Sunday, July 4, 2021.
Last month, Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI) announced that the Fun Fourth Festival in Downtown Greensboro planned for July 3 and July 4 would not take place this year. Like High Point’s Uncle Sam Jam, the Fun Fourth Festival was to include a street festival and fireworks.
DGI President of DGI Zack Matheny cited “uncertainty for what the summer months hold” in the decision to make what he called a “heartbreaking” one.
