Weissport Mayor Paulette Watson explained the rationale that led to the cancellation of the Redneck Festival held annually in the borough.

Watson was concerned that the public was under the impression that rioting and looting were the main factor in the tough decision.

“The COVID virus is the reason first and foremost,” Watson said.

“Events that may have taken place in our town park beforehand were held because at that specific time, CDC restrictions had been relaxed,” she said.

A short time later, Gov. Tom Wolf tightened restrictions again due to the rising cases within our state.

Watson said, “That means that it simply wouldn’t be feasible to hold an event where crowds couldn’t social distance.”

She added, “Protests were of concern, and we were attempting to plan to accommodate our policing concern by adding an extra officer to support Chief (Matt) Williams for the day of the festival. We had plans in the works to cover scenarios requiring law enforcement if protesters were to show up.”

“Unfortunately however, the governor’s decision to restrict and limit gatherings was the real catalyst that drove all of our board members and myself to make such an unfortunate, but unanimous decision this year,” Watson concluded.