The Orange County Sheriff’s Office recently charged two people with violating the mass gathering rules established by state and local governments after an unsanctioned music festival was held in the county last weekend.

A release from the sheriff’s office on Thursday said Orange Communications, which handles 911 calls, received several noise complaints on Saturday, October 24. After arriving at a large field off in the Gregg Street area of Efland, deputies found more than 125 people attending a music festival called Ox Fest. Hosted by a Raleigh radio host for the hip-hop station Hot 97.9, the festival’s lineup featured regional rap artists like Pastor Troy and famed North Carolina rapper Petey Pablo.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, organizers reported more than 300 tickets had been sold at the gate for the music festival and expected a total of 1,000 by days end. Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 121, which was enacted during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, limits gathering sizes in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The latest update to the executive order came with North Carolina’s transition to Phase 3 of reopening, which allows small outdoor venues to permit up to either 30 percent of their capacity or 100 people to attend events.

The sheriff’s office reported obtaining criminal summonses against two people, Patricia Roberts and Karl Wilkins. Roberts is the property owner who rented out the land knowing the event planned was a music festival, according to Thursday’s release. Wilkins owns V Block Entertainment, the company that promoted the Ox Fest event.

Violations of the governor’s executive order are a misdemeanor charge.

Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

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