HEMPSTEAD CANCELS WATERMELON FESTIVAL, RUN FOR THE FALLEN; PEACEFUL PROTEST PLANNED SATURDAY

  

The City of Hempstead has cancelled a series of major summer events as a result of COVID-19.

Mayor Michael Wolfe announced in a letter to the community that the annual Watermelon Festival in July, along with the Watermelon Run for the Fallen in August, have both been cancelled.  He also announced that the Juneteenth Parade, which is not a city-sponsored event, is cancelled.

The annual Fourth of July celebration at Hempstead City Park will go on as scheduled, but it will not include a live band performance.  The city is asking all who plan to attend to practice social distancing.

There is also a protest scheduled for Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m., which will begin on Sandra Bland Parkway in Prairie View and end at the Waller County Jail in Hempstead.  Wolfe said law enforcement agencies have been made aware of the protest, and he expects it be peaceful.