Festival organizers had asked to postpone the popular festival until September due to the coronavirus pandemic. They now say they’re “exploring all our options” for alternative dates.
Will It Be Canceled, Moved? Rejection of a proposal to delay Electric Forest could jeopardize the 2020 festival. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
The much-anticipated 10th anniversary celebration of Electric Forest in late June has been derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Rothbury Village Council on Thursday voted down a proposal submitted by festival organizers Madison House Presents and AEG Presents to delay the mammoth Michigan event until Sept. 10-13 due to the coronavirus crisis, according to the Oceana County Press.
Although the newspaper reported that a representative for festival promoters said the event couldn’t go forward without getting approval for the revised dates, Electric Forest on Thursday evening posted a statement on its Facebook page saying organizers are still “exploring all our options.”
The full statement indicated that organizers have been “working hard to explore alternative dates for Electric Forest 2020, and find a time that works best for both our community and our neighbors.
“At this time, the Rothbury Village Council is not able to approve alternate dates for this year. We are exploring all our options, and will provide you with updates as soon as we can. We appreciate your patience and support while we work through this news.”
Electric Forest later Tweeted that it’s “working hard to explore alternative dates for Electric Forest 2020 and find a time that works best for both our community and our neighbors.”
Not Social-Distancing: The crowds at Electric Forest. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Originally slated to take place June 25-28 at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, passes for the 10th Electric Forest sold out quickly, with the festival scheduled to feature headlining sets by The String Cheese Incident, Bassnectar, Flume, Major Lazer, Big Gigantic, Louis the Child, Diplo and The Disco Biscuits.
More than 40,000 festivalgoers attend Electric Forest each year.
According to the Ocean County Press, village officials had received phone calls from residents concerned about the festival taking place when students were back in school.
In recent weeks, a debate has swirled online about moving forward with the festival in light of social-distancing and the coronavirus pandemic.
After Thursday’s news, many fans on Facebook expressed disappointment with the potential cancellation of this year’s festival, while others asked about refunds. Still others speculated the event might move to a different location.
“Be optimistic all you want,” one commenter wrote. “Fact is, nothing is happening this year. No large gathering will happen. Period. It doesn’t take a genius to see it.”
Wrote another: “They are exploring all options which obviously includes a change in venue. Everyone take a breath and let the peeps work.”
Commented another: “That community loses sooo much money if this gets canceled!”
Kalamazoo singer and songwriter Jason Singer of the band Michigander, which was making its first appearance at Electric Forest this year, declined comment on the situation until he heard from his agent, but said he had been “looking forward” to playing the festival.
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