SPRUCE PINE — Both the North Carolina Gem Festival and the Grassy Creek Mineral and Gem Show are set to continue as scheduled despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Spruce Pine Mayor Darla Harding said she continues to hear concerns from citizens regarding the festivals continuing but she assures each one of them that the Town of Spruce Pine does not sponsor or fund either event.
The Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce sponsors the North Carolina Mineral and Gem Festival and the outdoor Grassy Creek Show is sponsored by Parkway Fire and Rescue.
Harding said she has received more than two dozen calls from concerned citizens regarding the gem festival— particularly the indoor North Carolina Gem Festival.
Harding said most of the callers ask her why the event is allowed to continue and voice their concern over the amount of people the events will bring to the area.
“The town has no decision-making power where that’s concerned,” she said.
Harding said she knows the gem festival organizers will have precautions in place for COVID-19 safety.
“I think it’s important that everybody has to choose for themselves what they need to do,” Harding said. Are you comfortable going or are you not?”
The North Carolina Mineral and Gem Show will offer facemasks. The number of people who can enter the show will be regulated and the show will also use social distancing locators, hand sanitizing stations and cleaning crews who will sanitize high-touch surfaces.
“We want to provide the safest event possible,” said Mitchell County Chamber Director Patti Jensen. “We hope that people will want to support the event this year but we completely understand if their personal situations prohibit them from doing so.”