WINDSOR – Thanks to Hurricane Ophelia, those looking forward to sinking their teeth into tasty chicken here tomorrow (Wednesday) will be forced to wait another month.

Monday morning, Windsor/Bertie Chamber of Commerce Director Patrick Demofonte made the decision to postpone the popular Chicken on the Cashie until Oct. 12. The 15th annual event was scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday).

Demofonte reached his decision based on the uncertainty of Hurricane Ophelia's track. The slow-moving storm is now expected to bring its heavy rains and tropical storm force winds to northeastern North Carolina by late Wednesday.

"There is way too much uncertainty about the timing of the storm's arrival in our part of the state," Demofonte said. "Even if it tracks further out to sea and leaves us high and dry on Wednesday, we just can't take that chance."

Now, Demofonte and his staff will busy themselves in promoting the Oct. 12 date.

"Miss Ophelia may have taken our (Sept. 14) date, but she won't take our fun," he said in reference to the new date."

Demofonte said all of the festivities will remain the same n the children's inflatable rides, the two bands (The Embers and BackDraft) and, of course, all the tasty chicken cooked in a variety of ways.

"To be honest, we had been kicking around the idea of moving the event to October anyway," Demofonte noted. "It's cooler then, plus it's not during the peak of hurricane season."

All tickets purchased for the Sept. 14 event will be honored on Oct. 12. Those seeking a refund can contact Demofonte at 794-4277.

Meanwhile, ticket sales will continue for the new date. Those can be purchased locally at the following locations:

Bertie County n Windsor/Bertie Chamber of Commerce, Carolina Country Restaurant and the Windsor Fire Department.

Hertford County n Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce, Ahoskie Fire Department, Wholesale Cash & Carry in Ahoskie and Southern Bank of Ahoskie.

Northampton County n Timberlake's Service Center in Woodland.

Other ticket outlets include the Edenton-Chowan County Chamber of Commerce, P&H Exhaust in Williamston, Port O' Plymouth River Museum in Plymouth and the Martin County Chamber of Commerce in Williamston.