By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
FAITH — Temperatures will reach 94 degrees in Rowan County on Wednesday, down from record-breaking highs throughout the weekend, according to an official with the National Weather Service.
While the temperatures will remain above normal, the organizers of Faith’s annual Fourth of July festivities don’t expect that to keep the crowds away from the mile-and-a-half parade that will kick off at 9:45 a.m.
“We’re still counting on folks to come and enjoy our celebration,” event organizer Gloria Wilhelm said.
Wilhelm said spectators would be wise to bring spray bottles filled with ice-cold water to mist on themselves during the parade, as well as a bottle of water to drink.
“We want people to stay cool and stay hydrated,” she said.
The Faith Fourth of July celebration kicked off last Wednesday, just days before a heat wave scorched the area. Rowan County saw three straight days of record-breaking triple digit temperatures Friday through Sunday.
It reached 104 degrees both Friday and Sunday, an all-time high for June.
A man operating the inflatables during Faith Fourth on Sunday told a Post reporter that turnout at the event was the lowest he’s ever seen.
Wilhelm said attendance numbers have been normal, but people don’t seem to be purchasing barbecue, hamburgers and hotdogs like they normally do.
“People have been buying things that are refreshing like snow balls and smoothies,” she said. “It’s just too hot to eat.”
Wilhelm said things “picked up” Monday as temperatures dropped following a storm that moved through the area early that morning.
“We had a good crowd and sold lots of barbecue,” she said. “We had a good night. It got a little cooler as the heat wave broke.”
Faith Fourth organizers canceled the ride matinee Saturday due to the heat.
“Most of the rides have either metal or leather seats, and as you know, just getting into a closed car with leather seats will burn you,” Wilhelm said.
Wilhelm said Saturday wasn’t the first time the ride matinee has been called off due to high temperatures.
Scott Krentz, a meteorologist with the Weather Service, said it’s “still going to be pretty warm” on the Fourth of July.
“We’re kind of in a stagnant pattern so we’re not getting a lot of fronts, he said.
The humidity will make it feel close to 97 degrees, Krentz said.
Krentz said there is a 25 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon.
“Some of those could be strong to severe,” he said. “But they are going to be highly isolated, we’re not expecting any organized congestion or big lines of storms.”
Read the complete story in Wednesday’s Post.