MURFREESBORO – One of the most popular and long-standing events in the Roanoke-Chowan area as well as northeastern North Carolina and southside Virginia is canceled for 2015.

The North Carolina Watermelon Festival Committee met, as scheduled, last night (Monday) and opted not to hold the festival this year. It was originally scheduled for July 29 through Aug. 1 and would have marked the 30^th year of the Festival, an event that normally attracts thousands to Murfreesboro during its annual four-day run.

The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald is attempting to learn if the Watermelon Festival will proceed in future years.

In a press release sent this morning (Tuesday), the Committee apparently acted upon a unanimous decision reached by the executive committee at their April 16 meeting.

“The deciding factor was an economic decision, but not the sole factor,” as stated in the press release. “Over the past few years the community and society have seen changes that have negatively affected the respect and desire for the mission of the festival.

“The NC Watermelon Festival grew from a small parade and a single afternoon of celebration to a four day event attracting thousands of visitors to our town.  We are extremely proud to have brought joy, entertainment and education for 29 years without charging or without any major incident,” the press release concluded.