As the pandemic continues to go from bad to worse, summer festival season in Canada isn't looking too great right now in 2021. And today the forecast looks even bleaker, as BC's long-running Shambhala Music Festival is officially postponing its 2021 event to 2022.
Festival organizers made their unfortunate announcement this afternoon. They made reference to BC Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry recently stating that large events this summer are "unlikely," while also pointing out that there are other obstacles facing Shambhala, including ongoing border closures.
"We are beyond devastated to postpone for a second time," said Shambhala Music Festival founder Jimmy Bundschuh in a statement. "It's no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the live music industry, and we have certainly had a difficult 12 months. Our hearts go out to all of those who have been affected by COVID-19 over the last year. We're in a fortunate position because we own our festival grounds, and we've already started planning for the festival in 2022. We're sure when the time comes it will be the celebration of the decade, so we are looking forward to that."
Already, organizers plan to host the 2022 festival at BC's Salmo River Ranch — the site Shambhala has called home since 1998.
"While we are disappointed that we won't see all our guests, crew and artists at the festival this year, we hope some of them will come and camp with us this summer and experience a slower side of the Salmo River Ranch," Bundschuh said.
You can read the full statement from the festival here.
Festival organizers made their unfortunate announcement this afternoon. They made reference to BC Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry recently stating that large events this summer are "unlikely," while also pointing out that there are other obstacles facing Shambhala, including ongoing border closures.
"We are beyond devastated to postpone for a second time," said Shambhala Music Festival founder Jimmy Bundschuh in a statement. "It's no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the live music industry, and we have certainly had a difficult 12 months. Our hearts go out to all of those who have been affected by COVID-19 over the last year. We're in a fortunate position because we own our festival grounds, and we've already started planning for the festival in 2022. We're sure when the time comes it will be the celebration of the decade, so we are looking forward to that."
Already, organizers plan to host the 2022 festival at BC's Salmo River Ranch — the site Shambhala has called home since 1998.
"While we are disappointed that we won't see all our guests, crew and artists at the festival this year, we hope some of them will come and camp with us this summer and experience a slower side of the Salmo River Ranch," Bundschuh said.
You can read the full statement from the festival here.