If you live in or around Summerville, GA, there are at least two things you’ve probably heard of:

1. Sum Nelly
2. Downtown Summerville flooding in recent years

Sum Nelly has been a staple in this community for going on 52 years. In more than five decades, surely there have been years when weather conditions required the event to be postponed or changed.

But apparently, this isn’t that year.

This year, the committee has decided to move Sum Nelly from Dowdy Park (an area known for flooding)  to E. Washington Street, which is paved, but has also experienced significant flooding.

So… what exactly is being solved by moving the event?

Vendors who paid an additional $5 for electricity are now expected to provide a drop cord at least 50 feet long, in potentially rainy conditions, across pavement.

And the best part?

There will no longer be a live band, apparently due to concerns about rain damaging their equipment. 

But what about the vendors?

What about the people who have already paid non-refundable booth fees, spent countless hours making, baking, creating, and purchasing inventory specifically to sell at Sum Nelly?

What about our local food and beverage vendors who spend hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars preparing food for this event?

What about the new entrepreneur who heard about Sum Nelly, invested their time and money, and may now be disappointed by poor attendance and sales because the event wasn’t moved to a safer, drier date?

And what about the customers?

The people who planned their schedules around October 3rd because they wanted to spend the day shopping, buying fresh pork rinds, picking up crocheted ornaments, eating local food, and supporting the businesses in downtown Summerville?

This isn’t just about rain. It’s about the impact this decision has on everyone involved.

Yes, vendors were made aware that Sum Nelly is “rain or shine” and that booth fees are non-refundable for “no-shows.”

But vendors were not agreeing to knowingly participate in an event at a location with a known, recurring flooding problem.

And if the event is being changed because of weather concerns, why isn’t postponement being considered?

If you are a vendor who is concerned about cancelling your spot because of the “no-show” policy, remember:

A no-show is generally someone who fails to arrive, attend, or appear at an expected time and place without giving prior notice.

So give notice before October 3rd.

If you are a vendor who does not feel comfortable participating under these circumstances, please contact the Summerville Parks and Recreation Department and request information regarding a refund.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION

We are asking Summerville Parks and Recreation Department to postpone Sum Nelly to a safer, drier date and consider the vendors, businesses, residents, and customers who have invested their time and money into this longtime community tradition.

52 years is a long time to build a tradition. Let’s not let one questionable decision put a damper on it.

Please share this post and sign the petition.

Our vendors deserve better. Our businesses deserve better. Our community deserves better.