A Message from Mayor Andy Ingram on Fall Events
I hope you and your families are doing well and staying optimistic. I understand finding optimism may be difficult when our daily lives are so disrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic. The last five months have been a challenge for everyone. Uncertainty caused by the pandemic combined with mandates from the Governor's Office and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control make planning and executing events difficult. Due to these difficulties our Summer Concert Series, National Night Out, the South Carolina Jazz Festival, the Cheraw Homecoming Parade, Christmas Fest, the Christmas Parade, and the Lantern parade are cancelled for this year. The Town would also like to discourage people from door to door Trick or Treating for the safety of residents and families. These events regularly exceed the crowd limit set by DHEC and social distancing cannot be reasonably implemented.
I want to express my sadness over the cancellation of these events. I understand their absence will be felt by the community. I personally enjoy all of these events and have for many years, but health and safety remain our top priority for residents.
Despite these cancellations we will continue to explore new opportunities for events that follow the mandates from the Governor's Office and DHEC. The Cheraw Arts Commission is working hard to present the Jazz Festival in a digital format featuring Jazz artists we all love. More information on the Jazz Festival will be released as it becomes available. They are also hosting a Silhouette Class by famed artist Clay Rice, you may sign up online by clicking here. Market on Market will return to downtown Cheraw in October as well.
The Recreation and Leisure Services Department is also working to safely restart programs. Instead of our usual downtown Halloween Walk, we will be hosting a drive through Trick or Treat at the Cheraw Community Center on Thursday, October 29th from 4PM to 7PM. The Let's Walk Cheraw Challenge is active with nearly 40 participants. Adult Line Dancing Classes will begin in October. Gymnastics and Dance have resumed and soccer will begin later this year. For more information on these programs please call the Recreation Department at 843-537-8420.
We will continue to look for new activities for our residents. To keep up with the latest news please visit our website at www.cheraw.com or visit our Facebook Page: Cheraw, South Carolina. This is uncharted territory for everyone, but I am confident that we can continue to grow and adapt through these difficult times.
Sincerely,
Mayor Andy Ingram