Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Winnipeg Folk Festival has just announced it will be cancelling its 2021 fest.
The fest had planned to run from July 8 to 11 at at Birds Hill Provincial Park, but organizers have now revealed that will not be the case. As previously reported, the festival was also forced to cancel its 2020 event.
"We've looked at every option possible, but with continued uncertainty about the pandemic restrictions that will be in place this summer, it's simply impossible for us to safely hold an event of our size and stay true to our typical Folk Fest experience," festival organizers stated.
"Thank you to the 4,500 of you who took the time to share your recommendations and feelings through our recent survey. In addition to showing your devotion to the festival we all love, the survey highlighted that our audience and volunteers want a return to the full Folk Fest experience and the incredible community created over the last 48 years — but only once it's safe for everyone to do so."
On the bright side, the festival is working on creating smaller-scale musical events this year.
"Our intention is to offer an opportunity to gather outdoors and in-person for three evenings of live music on August 13, 14 and 15, 2021 at our Main Stage in Birds Hill Provincial Park. While it may not be the same festival experience we're used to, we want nothing more than to support artists and share live music with our community in the safest way we can at this time. We are also exploring streaming options for those who would like to participate and support the Folk Festival but may be unable or uncomfortable to attend an in-person gathering this summer."
Earlier this week, BC's long-running Shambhala Music Festival also announced it would be cancelling its 2021 event.
The fest had planned to run from July 8 to 11 at at Birds Hill Provincial Park, but organizers have now revealed that will not be the case. As previously reported, the festival was also forced to cancel its 2020 event.
"We've looked at every option possible, but with continued uncertainty about the pandemic restrictions that will be in place this summer, it's simply impossible for us to safely hold an event of our size and stay true to our typical Folk Fest experience," festival organizers stated.
"Thank you to the 4,500 of you who took the time to share your recommendations and feelings through our recent survey. In addition to showing your devotion to the festival we all love, the survey highlighted that our audience and volunteers want a return to the full Folk Fest experience and the incredible community created over the last 48 years — but only once it's safe for everyone to do so."
On the bright side, the festival is working on creating smaller-scale musical events this year.
"Our intention is to offer an opportunity to gather outdoors and in-person for three evenings of live music on August 13, 14 and 15, 2021 at our Main Stage in Birds Hill Provincial Park. While it may not be the same festival experience we're used to, we want nothing more than to support artists and share live music with our community in the safest way we can at this time. We are also exploring streaming options for those who would like to participate and support the Folk Festival but may be unable or uncomfortable to attend an in-person gathering this summer."
Earlier this week, BC's long-running Shambhala Music Festival also announced it would be cancelling its 2021 event.
