Despite recently announced plans to host a COVID-safe festival at the end of August, organisers of The Great Wonderfest have this evening (Friday) confirmed that the event has been cancelled for 2020.
Those behind the Duxmore Farm event, which was held for the first time in 2019, say that they have worked alongside the Isle of Wight Council and some of the UK’s leading event specialists and lawyers, investing a great deal of time, effort, and funds to devise a plan for a safe family-friendly event to go ahead this summer.
However, organisers say that the absolute safety of both the audience and crew is of the utmost importance and the ability to deliver a show with the support of local agencies is paramount.
The uncertainty created by the latest government guidance announced today, giving local authorities the power to cancel outdoor events at short notice and the potential for localised lockdowns, has made putting on the festival untenable this year, it has been said.
A spokesperson for The Great Wonderfest has said:
“It has been an incredibly difficult decision to make in these most challenging of times, but we believe it is the right one. We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us, most especially Great Wonderfest fans and ticketholders.
“We will return next year, and your tickets purchased for 2020 will be valid for our new 2021 dates. Your support in rolling over your tickets and joining us next year would be hugely appreciated and loyal customers will be rewarded when we go on sale for Great Wonderfest 2021. However, we do understand if you would rather have a refund, and in that case please contact your ticket agent or point of purchase directly.
“We’re so sorry to cause any disappointment for our fantastic audience. We tried our very hardest to make it work, to adapt the traditional festival model to comply with new safety guidelines and to continue to support local businesses, help secure jobs and be part of a national movement to kickstart live music and the arts. We are absolutely devastated not to be able go ahead this year”.
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And do it shud b everything else has been cancelled
What a fiasco. Going to a live outside music event is as risky as going to the Pub,Supermarket,Beach or some rally protesting against, or supporting, whatever the flavour of the month is . Can anyone give a reason why this event should be cancelled and not any of the aformentioned scenarios.???
The live music scene and industry that bring millions of pounds to the economy, will collapse and all we will be left with is glorified pub singers warbling away to backing tracks. Ridiculous.
What a shame.
absolute safety of both the audience and crew is of the utmost importance and the ability to deliver a show with the support of local agencies is paramount. That’s why.