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The Gulley Park Concert Series has been canceled this year because of COVID-19.

The annual event features free outdoor live music with room for thousands of people to spread out picnic blankets and lawn chairs in the fields surrounding the gazebo stage at Gulley Park in east Fayetteville.

Parks officials announced the cancellation on Tuesday, along with the news that the Wilson Park pool will not open for the season.

Connie Edmonston, the city’s director of parks and recreation, said although the two programs are staples of the community, it’s not possible to continue forward while also ensuring the safety of residents.

“Unfortunately, much of what makes these programs successful is the community gathering and socialization that is currently not possible because of COVID-19 concerns,” said Edmonston. “Our first priority is to safeguard the health of our community.”