Newark Festival 2020 featuring Altered Images, China Crisis, Marc Almond, Hue and Cry, and Heather Small cancelled, announce LHG Events and the town council
Newark Festival 2020 has been cancelled due to the uncertainty surrounding the emergence from the coronavirus pandemic.
Organisers of the Riverside Park event, which was scheduled to take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, LHG Events, said: "After a lot of hard work, soul-searching and today a few tears, it is with a heavy heart that we must announce the postponement of Ellis Mather presents Newark Festival 2020.
"The festival has always been about uniting our community, friends and family in a fun, safe and secure environment.
"We know how many of you were hoping we could go ahead with the festival in 2020.
"We explored all options and waited as long as possible to see if the situation would change and we would like to thank you for your patience during this time, however, due to current ongoing covid-19 restrictions and for the safety of all concerned, it’s sadly not going to be possible this year.
"This year’s festival was due to bring us all together to celebrate the final days of summer over August Bank Holiday weekend."
There was some good news though amid a summer that will be devastated by the loss of mass-gatherings and the continued closures in the leisure industry.
"Thanks to our amazing partners and sponsors we will be back next year on the same weekend. August 27 – 28 2021 is your official save the date and it’s going to be one unforgettable weekend," said the Newark-based promoter.
This year's Saturday night line-up was to be Altered Images, China Crisis, Marc Almond, Hue and Cry, and Heather Small - the voice of M People while Radio 2’S Jo Whiley and her 90’s anthems show held the Friday night floor.
Company chief executive LIz Hobbs added: “Ellis Mather Presents Newark Festival is one of the highlight’s of the summer for us and we’re going to miss seeing all the smiling faces, and the fun we all have at Riverside Park.
"Stay safe, keep well and we can’t wait to see you in 2021. Let’s make it a bumper one."
If you purchased a ticket for this year’s festival, it remains valid for next year's event, all you need to do is show up and your ticket will still be valid.
In addition, anyone who purchased a ticket will be invited to purchase a second at half price for a limited time.
If you have a ticket for the 2020 festival, you will be contacted by your ticket agent over the next few weeks with more information and all options available to you.
"We sincerely hope you will help support the festival and the decimated live events industry, by retaining your tickets, taking advantage of a thank you from us to you and spreading the word in helping us to
promote the event for next year," said Liz.
A spokesman for Newark Town Council, who partner in the event, said: “Newark Town Council is very disappointed that we have had to take the decision to postpone this year’s Newark Festival, however, we are sure that everyone will appreciate that the health of the people who would attend it is of paramount importance at present, as the whole country fights this deadly virus.
"The town council appreciates the importance of the Newark festival for the local community and the wider benefits that it produces to the retail and hospitality businesses in the town.
"It has therefore taken the decision to maintain its financial support for the festival in 2021 and hopes that it will survive and become a bigger and better event.
"The town council has reluctantly also had to take the hard decision to cancel this year’s Brass Band Concerts, which are held on Sundays during July and August in the Castle Grounds. These will also return next year.”