Wakefield Town Day Falls Victim to Nor'easter: Event Completely Canceled

Well, this is certainly a bummer for our community. Wakefield Town Day, that beloved annual celebration we all look forward to, won't be happening this year. Organizers made the tough call on Thursday, September 24th, to fully cancel the event, which was originally slated for this coming Saturday, September 26th, right there on the Lower Common.

The culprit? A rather nasty Nor'easter storm that's barreling our way, promising a truly miserable weekend. The National Weather Service isn't mincing words, forecasting high winds, with gusts potentially hitting a hefty 40 miles per hour across eastern Massachusetts, coupled with plenty of rain. As you can imagine, this creates some serious safety headaches, especially when you consider all those tents that would have been set up for vendors and community groups. No one wants a tent flying off in a gust of wind, and frankly, the thought of trying to enjoy a community event in such conditions just isn't appealing.

It wasn't just the official forecasts that spurred this decision, either. Event organizers, including representatives from the Town of Wakefield and the Wakefield Area Chamber of Commerce, heard directly from many of the exhibitors. People were, understandably, hesitant to participate given the grim weather outlook. When your vendors are expressing concern, it’s a pretty clear sign that pushing forward isn't the best idea. What's more, the bad weather isn't just a Saturday affair; the forecast extends right into Sunday, which was originally pegged as the rain date. So, with both days looking equally dismal, a full cancellation became the only sensible option.

This widespread impact means a couple of other important services are affected. The Health Department had planned flu clinics, both at the Farmers Market and during Town Day itself, and those appointments will now need to be rescheduled. If you had an appointment, don't fret; the Health Department will be in touch to arrange new times. In the meantime, they've advised residents to check their website at www.wakefieldma.gov/flu-clinics for information on other fall clinic options. The Wakefield Area Chamber of Commerce, who co-hosts the event alongside the Town of Wakefield and the Friends of Lake Quannapowitt, will also be busy contacting all the exhibitors to process application refunds. It’s a lot of work behind the scenes, all because Mother Nature decided to throw a wrench in our plans.

While it’s truly disappointing to miss out on this year's Town Day, safety absolutely comes first. The organizers, I'm sure, are just as bummed as we are, but they're already looking ahead. They've stated they "look forward to seeing you next year," which gives us something positive to focus on. So, let’s mark our calendars for next year and hope for much clearer skies. Until then, stay safe and dry this weekend, Wakefield!