The festival was slated to go ahead in March.
In another blow for regional Victoria, organisers of the Port Fairy Folk Festival have cancelled the 2021 event, due to the uncertainly surrounding the ever-changing coronavirus pandemic.
Every year thousands of music lovers flock to the scenic coastal town to dive into the unmissable line-up of artists from all around the globe representing folk music, and next year would have been their 45th year.
Announcing the festival will return in 2022, festival committee president John Young said the health and safety of the Port Fairy community was at the crux of the decision.
“Health and safety are at the forefront for the Port Fairy community. With restrictions on gatherings and too many uncertainties attached to the current global pandemic, we had to make this choice,” he revealed.
“The community, our volunteers, the hundreds of performers, the many contractors and of course the thousands of patrons involved are at the top of our minds when we are planning our annual festival. Rather than invest into a risky and unsafe time for live music and large gatherings, we will focus our energies on producing a truly wonderful Port Fairy Folk Festival experience in 2022.
Since its onset in 1977, the festival has evolved into a intricate piece of the coastal Victorian town, and has earned Port Fairy global recognition in the world of folk music. Renowned for its diversity of local and international talent, each year promises to be a vibrant celebration of music and culture.
The Port Fairy Folk Festival Committee extends its support to the live music industry across Australia and to all those who have been severely impacted by this pandemic, as we work together to preserve the future of major festivals, events and cultural activities.
The 45th Port Fairy Folk Festival will take place on 11-14 March 2022.
