The unpredictability of Hurricane Arthur created a slight change of plans for The Freedom Day Gospel Explosion on Friday.

Originally, the gospel concert was scheduled as part of Lee Chevrolet’s 4th of July celebration and the City of Washington’s fireworks show. The event was going to be held at Festival Park, along with numerous other activities throughout the day.

However, when organizers of Friday’s festivities cancelled the majority of the activities before the storm, The Freedom Day Gospel Explosion changed venues. The gospel event took place at The Word of Life Worship Center on North Market Street Extension.

One of the events planners, Mae Rodgers, 104.5 FM The Vine Connection station manager, said they were not going to cancel the event because of the hurricane.

“We couldn’t stop because some things already got moved around, so we had to do it,” Rodgers said. “When the plans fell through we couldn’t stop.”

The concert featured local and regional singers and bands, including: Bishop George Bloomer, The Edwards Sisters, Keith Wonderboy Johnson, Dr. Michelle Corral of Benny Hinn Ministries, Pastor Shirley Ceasar, LuShun Pace and Bishop Liston Page.

The local radio station, which is a gospel-formatted station, celebrated its first anniversary this weekend on the FM dial.

“We love music-all kinds of music, Southern gospel, Spanish and rap, we like it all,” Rodgers said. “We were trying to play music and glorify the Lord, we just couldn’t stop.”