Some vendors scheduled to participate in this weekend’s 52nd Annual Sum Nelly Festival have started an online petition asking Summerville Parks and Recreation to postpone the event because of concerns about anticipated rain and the possibility of flooding.

The petition was started Thursday after Summerville Parks and Recreation Director Adam Wilson announced Wednesday that Sum Nelly would remain scheduled for Saturday, October 3, but with significant changes because of the weather forecast.

The festival is being moved from Dowdy Park to East Washington Street in downtown Summerville, approximately one block from the park. Festival hours have also been shortened from the originally scheduled 9 AM until 7 PM to 9 AM until 3 PM.

The move is intended to put vendors on pavement rather than potentially wet or muddy ground at Dowdy Park. Vendors have been given the option of setting up Friday evening from 6:30 until 8:30 PM or Saturday morning from 6 until 8 AM.

Some vendors, however, say they would rather see the festival moved to another date.

The petition raises concerns about the possibility of flooding on East Washington Street as well as the financial investment vendors have already made in merchandise, food and preparations for one of Summerville’s largest annual events.

Organizers of the petition say vendors knew Sum Nelly was advertised as a rain-or-shine event, but argue that moving the festival because of weather concerns while continuing to hold it on the same day does not adequately address their concerns.

The petition also says vendors who paid for electricity have been told they will need extension cords of at least 50 feet at the new location. It also raises concerns about the impact poor weather could have on attendance and sales.

The petition asks Summerville Parks and Recreation to postpone Sum Nelly to what organizers describe as a safer, drier date, taking into consideration vendors, downtown businesses, residents and customers who have invested time and money in the annual festival.

As of Thursday morning, Summerville Parks and Recreation has not announced a postponement or cancellation. Sum Nelly remains scheduled for Saturday from 9 AM until 3 PM on East Washington Street.

Those wishing to read or sign the petition can find it here:

Petition To Postpone The 52nd Annual Sum Nelly Festival:
View the petition on Change.org