Photo courtesy of Bluesfest Windsor.Photo courtesy of Bluesfest Windsor.
Windsor

Windsor's Bluesfest the latest pandemic casualty

The coronavirus has claimed another summer event in Windsor-Essex.

The organizers of LiUNA! Bluesfest Windsor announced the decision Monday to cancel this year's edition. Bluesfest President Rob Petroni said they were hopeful to have the festival later in the summer, but the difficulty in predicting pandemic trends was a deciding factor in pulling the plug.

"Our hope was to see a decline in the pandemic to the extent we could push the concert into Labour Day weekend, especially since we have an incredible lineup fully booked and tickets have been purchased," said Petroni. "However, we believe it is time to look toward 2021 while we concentrate on staying safe and not put our fellow citizens at risk."

The festival was scheduled to run over two weekends in July at Windsor's Riverfront Festival Plaza.

Those who have bought tickets to the festival through Eventbrite will receive a refund starting this week. Those who do not receive their refund in a timely manner are asked to email Bluesfest with their name, ticket number, and the issue.

To fill the void left by the pandemic, Bluesfest has been offering a series of virtual concerts. The Front Porch Party series began with a set by Colin MacDonald of The Trews. This past weekend, there was a performance by Kelly Authier.

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