Mayor William Cogswell declares August 20 as ‘Al Roker Day’ in Charleston

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Mayor William Cogswell proudly declared August 20 as “Al Roker Day” in the City of Charleston to mark the longtime television personality’s 70^th birthday and dedication to the nation.

“I, William S. Cogswell, Mayor of the City of Charleston, do hereby proclaim August 20, 2024, to be Al Roker Day,” he read while live on News 2 Today at the iconic pineapple fountain.

During the mayor’s remarks, he noted that Roker has been incredible for the Lowcountry. “We appreciate his love for who and what we are, and so we felt that it was fitting on his 70th birthday to give him a proclamation honoring his 70th,” Mayor Cogswell said.

Roker, a friend of the City of Charleston who visits often, was born on August 20, 1954, in Queens, New York. His television career began in 1974 in Syracuse, New York before eventually stepping in for the Today Show’s Williard Scott in January 1996.

He has become a beloved fixture of the popular NBC morning show and a highlight of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade each year.

Roker is no stranger to the Lowcountry. He has made numerous visits to the city over the years, with the most recent happening in 2022 when he and the Today Show crew joined News 2 for a kickoff to summer. He often arrives in town for the Wine and Food Festival.

Storm Team 2 also helped Roker set a Guinness World Record in June 2021 by hosting the longest online weather reporting relay on the first day of summer.

He is scheduled to return to Charleston for the inaugural Food and Wine Classic in late September.