Merritt's Bass Coast Festival postponed until next year

Photo: Bass Coast/Facebook

With large gatherings being discouraged or restricted across the province, Merritt's Bass Coast Festival has been postponed until July 2021.

The music festival's co-founders announced the decision online on Wednesday, following provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry's announcement late last week about large gatherings this summer.

"We expected this announcement, but that doesn’t ease its impact," says co-founder Andrea Graham in a press release. "A decision of this magnitude impacts an extended community of people already profoundly affected by COVID-19."

For Bass Coast, which operates without corporate sponsors, there are additional financial concerns to face.

"Bass Coast has always had a no-refund policy; however, we understand that these are extenuating circumstances," says Graham. "We will be refunding all volunteer deposits, vehicle passes, reserved campsites, bell tents, cabins and pre-ordered T-shirts."

Tickets won't be refunded; instead, they'll be assigned to one of the next four expected Bass Coast festivals. Graham says this is to "ensure the future of the event," since organizers had already began planning the 2020 festival and incurred costs.