Wildfire impacted Salmon Arm Roots and Blues festival suggests donating your refund

After Salmon Arm’s  Roots and Blues festival was forced to cancel due the this past summer's wildfire crisis, it's hoping ticket holders will opt to donate the money instead of getting a refund.

The 31st annual music festival was supposed to take place over four days from Aug. 17 to Aug. 20, but was cancelled after the first day because of a nearby wildfire and the thick smoke it generated in the area.

“With the abrupt cancellation of the event this year, next year’s festival may be underfunded," the festival's executive director David Gonella said in a media release issued today, Sept. 25.

Because much of the work is done prior to the festival, the organization must still pay suppliers, contractors, and artists as their work and services were still delivered.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while we developed our refund strategy,” music festival board chair Kimm Magill-Hofmann said in the release. “In a year when so many people and businesses have been directly impacted by fire evacuations, the compassion of festival goers is what makes Roots and Blues so special.”

With that in mind, ticket holders will receive information via email outlining their options for a refund or donation. You can also go to the festival's website here.

The society is already looking forward to next year’s festival hoping to make up for this year’s unfortunate situation.

“This festival is where our friends, family and community meet once a year to create everlasting memories,” Gonella said. “Despite this year’s festival being cut short, we will make every effort to present the 32nd annual Roots and Blues festival in the way we have all come to know and love.”

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