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Friends of McIntosh cancel 51-year festival, urge residents to turn negativity into support
Summary
Friends of McIntosh canceled the town's festival due to Hurricane Milton-related problems and logistical failures; organizers said they face emotional and threatening responses and called on residents and organizations to support recovery efforts.
Melinda Jones, speaking for the Friends of McIntosh, said the group made "a difficult decision to cancel the festival due to Hurricane Milton" after contingency plans failed amid equipment and staffing problems. She told the council the cancellation was the first in 51 years and that delivery issues, maintenance yard flooding and a shortage of sheriff detail left organizers no viable alternative.
The Friends are asking the Town Council, local organizations and residents to rally behind the group and "turn the rude and negative behavior into something positive for the town," Jones said. Council members and residents voiced public support: Cllr Deaderick complimented the Friends on their vendor outreach, and resident Patty Dodd praised the Friends' ongoing community work. Mayor Roddy warned that divisions over the decision threaten community cohesion: "A community divided is a community that will fail."
