Stanfest performance; photo courtesy Stanfest.com
The largest event in Guysborough Co. has been cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Stan Rogers Folk Festival was set to run from July 23-26 in Canso.
In a release Wednesday, Troy Greencorn, Stanfest founder and producer, says the move follows similar decisions from other festivals in the region.
Greencorn says it’s becoming clear restrictions on the size of gatherings will remain in place through the summer.
“There is no way we will go from home-based isolation to large events with thousands gathered,” he says. “It’s looking more and more like large events like ours won’t be able to proceed until a vaccine is in place.”
Greencorn says the camping nature of the festival makes it impossible to maintain disinfection and hygiene standards, and physical distancing.
He says there’s also too much of a risk to the community.
Greencorn says Canso has less than 1,000 residents and it would be unreasonable to invite thousands of visitors into the community.
“There are just too many risks and too much uncertainty,” he says.
Ticketholders have one month to request a refund; if they haven’t by May 15 their ticket will automatically be deferred, and they will be put on a list to receive a ticket for Stanfest 2021.
Festival organisers have invited ticketholders to visit their website for information on refunds, exchanges, and donations.
