Unfortunately, the Reggae On The River 2019 festival, has been cancelled.
The show’s producers High Times, who signed onto the contract in May 2018, called it quits at close of day yesterday.
Mateel’s Board of Directors issued this statement,
The Mateel Community Center is disappointed, shocked and saddened regarding the cancellation of Reggae on the River 2019. We are feeling the pain of the community for the loss of local income and much more a tradition. We will continue to pursue all avenues to restore the show. And will undoubtedly have a show at the Mateel the weekend of R.O.T.R
Mateel forever….
Mateel board of directors
Community Center Board member Dusty Hughston, while addressing questions, went on to say that Mateel would put on a smaller event at their hall in Redway.
“We’re going to do something that weekend at the Mateel,†he said.
The festival, dates back to the eighties, had been set to take place on the 2nd of August to the 4th, 2019, with Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Toots and the Mayals being the main acts.
The festival which used to be very popular served as a fundraiser for the Mateel Community Center. With poor revenue levels from previous years ticket sales, and mounting debt, the festival was rocking on the back foot.
Ticket holders will have heir advance payments refunded to them within ten business working days.
The full details of the cancellation have not been revealed and we await to here from the responsible officials. It is very unfortunate for something like this to happen. Stakeholders in the community are negatively affected so I am sure a full report will be availed to the public.
A damper for the year. With all the other festivals happening over the summer. Reggae On The River will definitely be missed. Fingers crossed for a return in 2020.