Salisbury Cheerwine Festival closes early due to weather

Severe weather cut Salisbury’s Cheerwine Festival short on Saturday.

MORE: Cheerwine Festival to return bigger this spring

The annual festival brings thousands of people to the small city for a day filled with games, food, and events all inspired by the cherry-flavored soda.

On Saturday afternoon, city officials announced that the festival would be closing 3 hours early at 7 p.m.-originally it was scheduled to run until 10 p.m.

Shuttle service from the event continued allowing guests to get home safely.

(WATCH BELOW: Six local high school students competing in Cheerwine Festival T-shirt design contest)