Another one of BC Interior's flagship summer events has been cancelled for 2020.
Salmon Arm's Roots and Blues Festival, which brings an eclectic mix of music to the small town in the Shuswap, will not take place this August.
Those who purchased tickets to this year’s festival are being offered refunds, but ticket buyers are also being asked to consider donating all or part of their ticket price “in support of feature years’ festivals.”
"It is with a heavy heart that today the Salmon Arm Folk Music Society will be announcing that the 2020 edition of the Salmon Arm ROOTSandBLUES Festival will not proceed in the traditional format," read a statement from event organizers posted on the Facebook page.
"While we had remained hopeful that the healing powers of music and community would have the opportunity to prevail, for the safety of everyone involved, and in accordance with provincial directives, we will not be able to proceed with the 2020 Festival as planned. It can not be overstated just how much every festival goer, joining us from near and far, means to all of us as organizers, volunteers, and to the entire Shuswap community. The sincere enthusiasm and loyalty of our festival-goers is the backbone of the ROOTSandBLUES Festival and because of that genuine pride and passion, we will return to our traditional Festival format in 2021."
The decision to call off the regular running of the festival comes after B.C.’s provincial health officer said over the weekend that it won’t be safe to hold mass-gatherings this summer.



