The 52nd annual Sum Nelly Festival is taking place today, but visitors will find some significant changes because of concerns about the weekend weather.

The City of Summerville has moved today’s festival from its traditional location at Dowdy Park to East Washington Street in downtown Summerville. Festival hours have also been shortened, with Sum Nelly running from 9 AM until 3 PM today.

The changes were made with rain and thunderstorms in the forecast. Moving the festival to a paved downtown location will help avoid problems associated with wet and muddy conditions at Dowdy Park.

Some vendors had petitioned for the festival to be postponed because of concerns about the weather, possible flooding, reduced attendance and the financial impact of a rainy festival day.

Instead of canceling Sum Nelly, the city is moving forward with today’s downtown event while also providing vendors with another opportunity later this fall.

Summerville Parks and Recreation Director Adam Wilson has announced a new Summerville Harvest Festival, which will be held Saturday, November 7, from 9 AM until 5 PM at Dowdy Park.

Vendors who were already registered and paid for Sum Nelly will be able to register for the November Harvest Festival at no additional charge.

Registration for the Harvest Festival opens Monday, October 5, through the Summerville Parks and Recreation website at summervillerec.org.

For anyone planning to attend Sum Nelly today, remember the two major changes: the festival is on East Washington Street instead of Dowdy Park, and it runs from 9 AM until 3 PM.

Rain chances increase as the day progresses, with showers and thunderstorms becoming more likely later this afternoon and evening.