ROCKINGHAM — Any hopes of salvaging the Plaza Jam summer concert series for 2020 have been shot down.
The City of Rockingham announced early Monday afternoon that the remaining concerts for September and October have been canceled due Gov. Roy Cooper’s extension of Phase 2 and restrictions on mass gatherings.
One of Plaza Jam’s most popular returning acts, the Tams, were supposed to play in September, with the North Tower Band closing out the series in October.
The Tams have performed at every Plaza Jam since it started, according to Events Coordinator Kim Williams, even playing the day after frontman Little Redd’s birthday one year.
The North Tower Band made its Plaza Jam debut in 2019.
.Craig Woolard and the Embers, who performed the show prior to Independence Day last year, were supposed to play again this July.
The Entertainers, who last performed at Plaza Jam in 2017, were slated to take the stage in Cole Plaza on June 4.
Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot were originally scheduled to open the 2020 season in May. Lowder is a former member of The Entertainers.
City Events Coordinator Kim Williams said all bands have been rescheduled for 2021.
Monday’s announcement comes days after organizers of the Seaboard Festival announced the cancelation of that event.
Since the pandemic began, other events have been canceled due to the uncertainty of when restrictions will be lifted.
The Hamlet Lions Club canceled the Richmond County Agricultural Fair, which is the organization’s largest fundraiser.
The Ellerbe Lions Club canceled its annual Fourth of July Jamboree, but club members had hoped to hold an event in the fall.
The Richmond County Chamber of Commerce last month canceled Hoptoberfest, the annual craft beer and chicken wing festival which was scheduled for October at Rockingham Dragway.
As of now, the Chamber’s Luau on the Links golf tournament is still on schedule for next month.
The North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh was also canceled.
It has been a tough time for musicians, with many not playing since bars were closed on St. Patrick’s Day. Some bars have been allowed to reopen, but many remain shuttered.
Two of Richmond County’s main venues for live bands, Hudson Brothers Deli and Double Vision, have not yet reopened.
