CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte may not see extreme impacts from Hurricane Ian but heavy rain is forcing several weekend events to reschedule.
The much-anticipated food festival Taste of Charlotte made the decision to postpone the three-day event on Tuesday.
"Seeing that the rain and the wind was going to be so heavy, we really, in good conscience, could not say, 'yeah, let’s push through and still have an outdoor event,'” shared event planner Carrie Griffin.
The festival was set for this weekend at Truist Field with food vendors, live music, and the Pink Cupcake Walk. It’s now rescheduled for October 7, 8 and 9.
"When reaching out to the bands and sponsors we’re telling them, 'hey, set up time is the same,' we’re literally moving everything seven days,” Griffin explained.
RELATED: Taste of Charlotte, Pink Cupcake Walk postponed due to predicted impacts from Hurricane Ian
Also postponed is the Greater Charlotte Heart Walk. The American Heart Association event was scheduled for Saturday, October 1, but has been rescheduled to Sunday, October 16.
The Moo & Brew festival was planning to feature food, beer, and music on Saturday, October 1 but that has now been canceled. Organizers are accepting refund requests and have not posted a new date yet.
Meanwhile, Bank of America Stadium is expected to still be roaring with Charlotte FC and Carolina Panthers fans over the weekend.
"Rain is rain," Charlotte FC fan Mario Rubio told WCNC Charlotte. "Unless there’s a danger for us, I don’t care. I want to go and support my team."
Charlotte FC is celebrating Fan Appreciation Week, and fans at Wednesday’s block party said they aren’t letting the incoming weather get them down.
"We’d go regardless," added Jonathan Clayton. "It’d be pouring down rain, we’d be there. It’s the best experience.”
The team isn’t a stranger to rain delays. A spokesperson told WCNC Charlotte that it takes lightning or severe flooding of the field to cancel a game.
Saturday’s game will have free shirts and ponchos for fans.
Meanwhile, several high school football games have been rescheduled in Mecklenburg, Gaston, and Iredell counties.
However, college football games like UNC Charlotte, UNC Chapel Hill, Duke, and Clemson vs. NC State are still on.
USC and SC State’s game has been moved up to this Thursday, September 29.
Breakaway Music Festival said in a statement online Wednesday night that it planned to move forward as planned at the Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. However, on Thursday, it was announced online that "due to unsafe weather conditions in and around the Charlotte/Concord areas caused by Hurricane Ian and additional severe weather conditions forecasted for the weekend, we have made the difficult and heartbreaking decision to postpone Breakaway Carolina." The event has been postponed to the spring of 2023.
See a full list of events that are canceled, postponed or still happening in our area below.
Canceled events
- Moo and Brew Festival
- Autumn Jubilee in Rowan County
- Carowinds (closed on Friday, Sept. 30)
While we expect that severe weather will impact the Carolinas, many events are still planned to happen but have been delayed.
Postponed events
Breakaway Carolina
The Breakaway Carolina music festival has been postponed to Spring 2023. Find more information here.
Concord International Festival
The city of Concord announced the Concord International Festival and Fall Shred event has been postponed. The Concord International Festival will now happen Saturday, Oct. 22, and the Fall Shred Disposal event will happen on Oct. 29. See more details about both events here.
Day Out with Thomas
Day Out with Thomas returns to the North Carolina Transportation Museum this fall on Oct.7-9 as opposed to the original return from Sept.30 through Oct. 2. Find more information about the change here.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
The Carolina Renaissance is back for another year, beginning on Sunday, Oct. 2 instead the previously scheduled Oct. 1 and will run through Nov. 20. Find more information here.
Taste of Charlotte
The three-day food festival is now happening from Oct. 7 to Oct. 9. Find more information here.
Pink Cupcake Walk
Truist's Pink Cupcake Walk and Breast Cancer Lap was postponed to Saturday, Oct. 8. Find more information here.
Greater Charlotte Heart Walk
The American Heart Association event has been rescheduled to Sunday, October 16. Find more information here.
Events happening as scheduled
Charlotte FC vs. Philadelphia on Saturday
Charlotte FC returns to the Queen City this weekend for a match against Philadelphia Union at Bank of America Stadium at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 1. Tickets for the match start at $15 and can be purchased here.
Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona on Sunday
The Carolina Panthers are at home this Sunday, taking on the Arizona Cardinals at 4:05 p.m Oct. 2. Tickets for the game start at $48 and can be purchased here.
Charlotte International Arts Festival (with modifications)
The Charlotte International Arts Festival is set to finish its final weekend in Charlotte but with the following changes due to severe weather.
- Luminarium—Architects of Air -- Now through October 2, 9:30 am–6:30 pm @ Ballantyne's Backyard
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
