Wildwood Lakefest is delayed until after Labor Day

A Wildwood Park event originally set for Labor Day has been rescheduled because of concerns about possible overcrowding at the lake.

The first annual Wildwood Lakefest, which was scheduled for Monday, has been postponed until Sept. 18, said Stacie Adkins, Columbia County's special events coordinator.

"Columbia County decided it wasn't best for them to have the event on this day," she said. "... We were going to run into families being at the lake and then people coming to the Wildwood Lakefest. We didn't feel like we were going to get the support since it was a first time event and we had never done it."

Another concern, she said, was not having enough county workers to help with the event.

"The sheriff's office was concerned that they would be concentrating on police work and not be able to help with parking," she said. "They would not be able to help us because they were going to be at other parts of the lake."

The Department of Natural Resources must have a boat in the area any time a big event is planned at the lake, Adkins said. But the department was unable to guarantee a boat on Labor Day, she said.

The Wildwood Lakefest will be held from 4-9 p.m. The event will include children's rides and games, food and drink vendors, a band and windsurfing and golf disc demonstrations.

A fireworks display will take place at 9 p.m.

"We are encouraging people to come early to assure parking, and those who have boats to dock at Petersburg or Ridge Road ramps," Adkins said. "They will be able to stay in the water for the fireworks show."