Citing the soaked ground and forecasts for drenching thunderstorms, New Castle County officials have canceled the popular “Sleep Under the Stars” camp-out set for this Saturday at Rockwood Park.
“We regret having to cancel this popular event and know this will be a great disappointment to the thousands of residents who registered,” County Executive Thomas P. Gordon said Thursday morning. “But with the forecasts from the National Weather Service and our top priority on park visitors’ safety, comfort and enjoyment, we really had no choice.”
The cancellation follows a one-week delay, forced by several days of heavy rain last week.
The executive office made the difficult call to cancel the free event after conferring with the Department of Special Services, which maintains the county’s extensive park system, and the Department of Community Services, which has planned and hosted the family-friendly camp-out for 15 years.
After two rainouts, the spring event will not be rescheduled, said Community Services General Manager Sophia Hanson.
However, Hanson said, its “super-hero” theme and activity plans were so well-received – including a Super-Hero Dance Party, super-hero characters, super-hero cape-making craft and super-hero movie – that the theme will return at this fall’s “Sleep Under the Stars” at Carousel Park. Registration will begin in August.
“Sleep Under the Stars” – a signature event of County Executive Gordon -- is presented without charge, thanks to county support, generous community sponsors and donors including New Castle County residents.
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