
NEW HANOVER COUNTY — The annual Art in the Arboretum event scheduled this weekend has now been postponed to November due to potential impacts of Hurricane Ian.
The event’s 27th occurrence will now take place on Nov. 5-6.
READ MORE: Ian nears Category 5 hurricane strength, gale warning in some areas of Carolinas
“If Art in the Arboretum was only presenting inside a gallery, then Mother Nature would not affect the show,” said Committee Chair and President of the Friends of the NHC Arboretum John Ranalli in a press release. “However, the outdoor component is a significant part of this event.”
By Wednesday morning, Hurricane Ian strengthened to just shy of a Category 5 storm, with winds at 155 miles per hour (Cat 5 is marked at 157). It is expected to land north of Fort Myers and 125 miles south of Tampa and make its way to North Carolina by 8 p.m Friday.
“With close to 40 artists slated to be outdoors, safety of the artists and attendees, along with protecting the artwork on display, takes priority, so we had no option but to postpone to a later date,” Ranalli said in the release.
All facets of the show will remain the same, just on a different weekend. The event still intends to be two shows in one, with the traditional indoor gallery and the outdoor festival artists’ booths, taking place at the previously scheduled time slots. The show’s organizers are working to reschedule the food trucks and the Children’s Museum activities to the new weekend.
The reception for Friends of the NHC Arboretum will be the opening event on Friday, November 4 beginning at 6 p.m. The public show and sale will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, November 5-6.
Entry to the show is $5 per person. Members of Friends of the Arboretum, children 12 and under, and military with current ID will receive free entry.
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