Fraser’s Ridge Homecoming 2020 Cancellation

Why I Decided To Cancel
Fraser's Ridge Homecoming 2020

The Bad News

After much thought and prayer, discussions with my husband, and the feedback I received from my organizing team and others in the local and state community, I have decided to cancel this year’s Homecoming. It was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make but I know in my heart that it was not only the right one but the only one in these uncertain times. 

In a time when it sometimes seems the value of human life and the well-being of our neighbor only extends as far as our own convenience or our own wallets, for me, it extended far beyond that.  No, I’m not going to make the money that I needed or anticipated making but there are things far greater than money and that’s the health and well being of the 175 amazing people who had purchased tickets to the Homecoming.  In addition, once I added my team members, the regiments and militias, other living history groups, instructors, the caterer and their crew, musicians and cast members, the total number was going to be closer to 300.  I was holding the welfare of 300 lives in my hands.  As difficult as it was to pull the trigger on cancelling the event, it really was a no brainer.  In my considerations, I wanted to do what the quote above from Lou Holtz says, I wanted to do the right thing, to do the best I could and I always wanted to show people that I care.  When you put those three things together along with the information I am providing below, you’ll understand why this was the most difficult choice but also the easiest choice for me to make.

Here are the factors that went into my decision:

  • Spiking cases and hospitalizations in North Carolina
  • North Carolina remains in Phase 2 of reopening for at least three more weeks as announced by Governor Cooper today (7/14/20). Phase 2 restrictions in North Carolina include limiting indoor and outdoor crowd-size maximums (25 outdoor & 10 indoor), mask mandate, and social distancing requirements.  
  • Wilkes County, where the Homecoming is held, has been hit especially hard by COVID due to an outbreak at a local meat processing plant. The County Health Department is not issuing exemptions for events, weddings, or any mass gathering which has attendance levels over the state limits. 
  • Travel to and from the state. Many states require a two-week quarantine when residents return to their state of residence from North Carolina. With that being said, we have people coming from all over the country.
  • Cabin sharing and even bed sharing has been a way for some of our attendees to cut the cost of attending the Homecoming. I don’t know about you but I don’t feel safe sharing a cabin or a bed with someone I don’t know and I don’t expect my attendees to feel any differently.
  • The serving of meals would be nearly impossible with the restrictions that are in place at this time.
  • The question of what if an attendee, instructor, entertainer, caterer, etc. becomes ill while at the Homecoming has been a real eye opener for me. This could be disastrous for everyone involved in the Homecoming and could result in quarantines for everyone present not to mention the terrible possibility of others getting sick.
  • Last, but actually first in my considerations, is this thing that I’m about to say next. I do not want to expose my attendees, special guests or anyone who has a part in making the Homecoming so unique to any unnecessary health danger. I also do not want to put any of my attendees in a position where they have to decide to either come and risk being exposed to COVID-19 or lose their $250 deposit. I’m just not willing. It’s not worth it to me. Period. 

The Good News!

The Good News Part 1...

The dates for Fraser’s Ridge Homecoming 2021 were set several months ago and we are looking forward to having the BEST Homecoming ever!! Mark your calendars for Ocrober 14 – 17, 2021. A majority of 2020 ticket purchasers have opted to roll over their tickets to next year! I’m looking forward to greeting old friends, meeting new ones and celebrating being together once again. I think the celebration will be even more special because of what we all have had to go through in 2020. However, with that being said, not everyone opted to come back so we do have some tickets available for next year. Next year’s tickets will be very limited and will go on sale on February 1, 2021. Subscribe to this site to receive updates about ticket sales.

The Good News Part 2...

Graham McTavish, Gary Lewis & Annette Badland, who were to join us this year, have ALL agreed to come to the Homecoming in 2021!!! I’m so excited they will be joining us and they’re excited to be coming! And you never know what other surprises we may have up our sleeves!! Stay tuned!! 

The Good News Part 3...

I mentioned earlier that we have a limited number of tickets available for 2021 due to the rollovers. Because of this, we will begin accepting “reservations” for the remaining spots in the very near future. If you’d like to know when you can “reserve your spot”,  please click the button below, complete the form and we will send you an email. 

Be sure to add outlandernorthcarolina@gmail.com to your email contacts to ensure you receive this very important email.

The Good News Part 4...

Since travel has basically come to a stand still, my best friend and I are  going to start doing some virtual tours around North Carolina to visit the places which have some connection to Outlander – either directly or indirectly. We’re very excited about bringing these historical sites straight to you in the comfort of your home! These virtual tours will be for EVERYONE not just ticket holders. If you’re interested, please click the button below and complete the form. Completing the form in NO way obligates you but it will help give us an idea of the number of people who might be interested. We look forward to meeting you virtually as we travel around the state!

In Closing...

I just want to thank all of you who purchased a ticket, volunteered to be an instructor, or volunteered to participate in any way for your unwavering support this year. I know this decision is disappointing to all of you too.  My prayer for all of you, ticket holder or not, is to please stay safe and stay well.  In the whole scheme of things, your health is much more important than any event could ever be. Yes, even bigger than any Outlander event! Can you believe I just said that?!?!  Yes, I did and its 100% true!! Bearing that in mind, I look forward to hopefully greeting you next October at the old Hendrix Cabin without the loss of a single one!  Until 2021, I’m sending…

Virtural Love and Hugs to You All,

Beth Pittman
Outlander North Carolina

10 Comments

  • Reply Carol Gainer July 18, 2020 at 10:16 am

    Hi Beth. Absolutely agree you did the right thing❤️ It must have been a very difficult decision to make.
    I am sure everyone involved appreciates your concern for their well being and safety. Please keep Bob and I on the email list!
    Thank you. Carol Gainer

  • Reply Laura Allender July 18, 2020 at 8:45 pm

    You ROCK! Your thought and care for the wellbeing of all is a ray of hope in the current environment in our country. Can’t wait to meet you in person at Homecoming 2021!

  • Reply Harrisse Coffee July 19, 2020 at 5:05 pm

    Beth, this is absolutely the right decision, and is the sameone my Jamie and I made in March when all this burst into flame. If we survive this, we hope to see you next year.

    • Reply Beth Pittman July 28, 2020 at 9:42 am

      Thank you, Harrisse! I do hope to see you in 2021!!

  • Reply Sandra Roberts July 28, 2020 at 9:34 am

    My friend and I want to come in 2021 and would have been unable to attend in 2020 because of her daughter’s wedding. We already have reservations at Leatherwood, I so hope you can find a spot for us. Thank you.

    • Reply Beth Pittman July 28, 2020 at 9:44 am

      Hey Sandra. We will add you to the waiting list for tickets. Be sure to stay tuned as I will be making an announcement about that in the next couple of weeks. Thank you so much for your interest and I hope to see you in 2021!

  • Reply Jackie Ahern July 29, 2020 at 2:38 pm

    Not sure if I have done this yet…but please put me on the waiting list. We have a cabin and I sure hope to make it this time…Steve will play with our dog!

  • Reply Paula Maggi October 16, 2020 at 4:26 pm

    Is it possible to get on the waitlist for 2021?

  • Reply Clare Lacy October 21, 2020 at 10:05 pm

    This sounds like fun. My husband and I may be interested in next yrs homecoming. I’m in love with Outlander!!!

  • Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.