The 2020 Vancouver Island MusicFest has been postponed to next year. Organizers made the announcement on their website and social media Sunday afternoon.
In the statement organizers said they cannot risk being an event where COVID-19 has an opportunity to spread within their community.
This year would have been the 26th edition of the music festival that is held each July at the Comox Valley Fairgrounds. This year’s lineup was to feature Lucinda Williams, Corb Lund, Bahams, Leo Kottke and Ruthie Foster among its 31 listed performers.
Emails will be sent to ticket and camping pass holders in the next few days explaining how the festival will be handling those.
Vancouver Island MusicFest just one of numerous events around the world that have been forced to cancel or postpone due to the current health crisis. The TD Victoria International JazzFest cancelled their 2020 edition ten days ago and more cancellations are likely to come.
During the daily COVID-19 update on Saturday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said large scale events such as the PNE in Vancouver and pride parades will likely not happen this year.
“Realistically, we will not be having those big events where people gather together this summer,” Henry said. “We do not have enough herd immunity or community immunity to allow that type of event to happen.”
Vancouver Island MusicFest hopes many of the artists they had lined up will be available next year.
Vancouver Island MusicFest: https://www.islandmusicfest.com
