Island festival-goers are out of luck this year as both the Sunfest Country and Laketown Shakedown music festivals are postponed due to COVID-19.
Sunfest had been scheduled to take place between July 29 and Aug. 1. It would have featured performances from Keith Urban, Dallas Smith, Madeline Merlo, MacKenzie Porter and others.
“We are heartbroken not to be seeing all your smiling faces this summer; however, the safety of our fans, artists, partners, sponsors, suppliers, vendors, first responders and staff will always come first,” Sunfest said in a press release on its website.
Similarly, Laketown Shakedown announced its postponement till July of next year and will release the 2021 artist lineup when it is ready.
Both festivals are offering different options for those who have already purchased tickets. Customers can either receive a refund, or keep their ticket for next year. Current passes for both festivals are now valid for two years.
For those who choose to keep their passes, each festival is offering special rewards.
“If you decide to keep your ticket for 2021, to thank you for your commitment and show our appreciation during this time, next year you are invited to attend a private function on July 29,” promised Sunfest.
“Shakedowners” will also benefit for keeping their passes, with the festival saying, “To show our appreciation, all fans who choose to keep their current passes will receive free early camping entry next year and an invite to an exclusive show on the evening of June 30, 2021.”
Both festivals sat they have been in “constant communication with artists, agents, management teams, government officials and health agencies” since the start of the pandemic, and will release any information to come.
Each music venue gave great appreciation for the support from the community, and ask everyone to check their emails and social media sites for any further updates.
These larger festivals are not the only activities cancelled on the Island this year due to COVID-19.
The Filberg Festival in Comox, Thunder in the Valley in Port Alberni, Island Folk Festival in Duncan are also cancelled as is the Parksville Beach Festival, which hosts sandcastle competitions each year.
Rebecca Lawrence
