ELORA – Riverfest Elora is the latest event to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Festival officials announced the cancellation in a May 20 press release “after weeks of careful consideration and contemplation.”
“The health and well-being of our friends, artists, volunteers, partners and the community we call home is always our highest priority,” states the release from artistic director and festival manager Spencer Shewen.
“There are simply too many unknowns at the moment and the impacts of COVID-19 remain a risk for all large-scale events in 2020.”
The 12th annual festival, set to take place in Bissell Park Aug. 21 to 23, will now be held next year year from Aug. 20 to 22.
“We are incredibly saddened to be missing what was set to be our best festival to date with the most exciting lineup of artists, vendors and partners we have ever assembled,” stated Shewen.
“We are however moving forward with planning for 2021 and are presently working with artists, agents and management to invite everyone set to take part this year, to join us in 2021. Our hope is to have some exciting announcements for you in the near future.”
Riverfest officials will honour tickets purchased for the 2020 festival in either 2021, 2022 or 2023, noting this will provide festival-goers flexibility while also benefitting the festival.
Ticket holders can also get a refund if they prefer. They can indicate their preference on the Riverfest Elora website; if they take no action by midnight on June 3 the tickets will automatically roll over to 2021.
“Again, we are incredibly thankful to our community of festival goers and can not express how appreciative we are of all of you, who have stuck by us over the years to help us grow our little festival into the incredible, wonderful and beautiful celebration that it has become,” officials stated.
“We will see you on the other side.”
