PINELLAS COUNTY - The threat of rainy and windy weather this weekend is causing organizers of many outdoor events to cancel and, when possible, reschedule.
The National Hurricane Center still has not been able to pinpoint where Hurricane Wilma might make landfall except to say it most likely will be in an area somewhere between the central part of the state and the Florida Keys.
Nevertheless, the National Weather Service is predicting a 70 percent chance of rain and outdoor event organizers are scrambling to get out cancellation notices and information about rain dates, where available.
- The 28th Annual Country Jubilee at Heritage Village in Largo has been rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29, due to concerns about the possible impact of Hurricane Wilma this weekend.
According to Ellen Babb with Heritage Village, this is the first year in the event's 28-year history that it has been canceled because of the threat of a hurricane. Organizers said other than the new date, all other details about the event remain the same. Click here for more information.
- Florida WingFest 2005 at Town Square Plaza Park in Pinellas Park has been postponed until Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 19 and 20. All other details remain the same, click here for more information.
"We feel this is the most prudent decision based on the current weather situation," Dan Garza, festival organizer, said in announcement. "We are looking forward to bringing this-fun filled weekend to Pinellas Park in a few weeks."
- The Pinellas Park Equestrian Board voted to cancel the 5th Annual Equine Town Meeting and Picnic scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 23, due to uncertain weather conditions. The Board will reschedule the meeting and picnic sometime after the first of the year. The city of Pinellas Park Equestrian Board meeting scheduled for Dec. 21 also has been cancelled. Visit www.pinellas-park.com, for the latest information on upcoming events or board meeting schedules.
- An old-fashioned picnic and car show to benefit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Tarpon Springs estate of Al Wiseman and his wife, has been canceled. As of Thursday, a new date had not been set.
According to organizer, Jean Zaralban, the uncertainty of the weather makes it necessary to cancel. Zaralban said the event would have taken place in the huge outdoor pavilion and the food would have been cooked on a grill located outside the pavilion.
"This is just devastating," Zaralban said. "This is the worst two years in the 45 years I've lived in Florida."
She said a new date would be set if possible. Click here for more information.
- The show will go on, if possible, is the word from Marlene Shaw with the Art Village Courtyard and City of Imagination in Gulfport. An outdoor performance of "The Burial at Thebes," a contemporary adaptation of Sophocle's Antigone by the Cruciverbalist Collective, is scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 20 to 29, 8 p.m., in the Art Village Courtyard, 2900-2914 Beach Blvd. S.
Shaw said information about any cancellations would be posted at www.artvillagevoice.org/mainhome.asp, or people can call 459-1963 or 896-1982. Click here for more information.
Many other outdoor events are scheduled this weekend. Organizers advise people to call ahead before heading out to any outdoor event. Check the Community Calendar and Entertainment Calendar for contact information.
