Huge country music festival cancelled for third time and fans want refunds, answers
One of the largest music festivals in Canada, the Havelock Country Jamboree, was scheduled to be this weekend. But instead, it was cancelled for the third year in a row.
The long-running festival, which has drawn in as many as 20,000 music fans at a time, was cancelled in 2020, then again in 2021 and now a third time in 2022.
Many fans who paid $650 for tickets or more for the four day festival, which is usually held the third weekend in August, say enough is enough and they want their money refunded.
“They were just pushing us off, pushing us off and then they finally said it was cancelled and I'm very angry because $650 is a lot of money to me and some people are out thousands of dollars," said Cheryl-Ann Van Gennip, of Lindsay, Ont.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The Jamboree has been a major draw and celebrated its 30th anniversary in Havelock in 2019. The twin stages have drawn big name acts over the years like Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn and Brett Kissel.
Mark Shaw of Kingston, Ont. has gone to the Jamboree eleven times before and was looking forward to going again this weekend.
Now that it’s been cancelled for the third time, Shaw said it’s time fans who have supported the festival over the years should be respected and get the refunds they deserve.
“I’m owed $650 dollars and I want that money back because I could use that for other festivals happening out there,” said Shaw who added, “I’m upset because all the years that we gave them our money the least they could do for us is give us back our money."
When CTV News Toronto called the Jamboree office there was a recording that said: “Thanks for calling the Havelock Country Jamboree office, please do not leave a message this is not an answering service. The office is presently closed. Please stay tuned on the website for any updates regarding the show.”
CTV News Toronto also sent emails to the Jamboree website, which were not returned.
It says on the Jamboree website, “In the meantime, as to the issue of refunds, we are working on that as well and will advise as soon as we can.”
The Jamboree website also suggested there could be a festival next year, but they're still trying to figure it out. However, music fans say after three years they deserve answers and refunds now.
“Look, it's cancelled, so it's not happening. I just want my $650 back,” said Van Gennip.
Many fans seeking refunds have joined Facebook groups and have banded together to see how they can get their money back.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cisco reveals security breach, warns of state-sponsored spy campaign
State-sponsored actors targeted security devices used by governments around the world, according to technology firm Cisco Systems, which said the network devices are coveted intrusion points by spies.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
opinion RFK Jr.'s presidential candidacy and its potential threat to Biden and Trump
Although it's still unclear how much damage Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy can do to either Joe Biden or Donald Trump this election, Washington political columnist Eric Ham says what is clear is both sides recognize the potential threat.
Haida elder suing Catholic Church and priest, hopes for 'healing and reconciliation'
The lawyer for a residential school survivor leading a proposed class-action defamation lawsuit against the Catholic Church over residential schools says the court action is a last resort.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
It's 30 years since apartheid ended. South Africa's celebrations are set against growing discontent
South Africa marked 30 years since the end of apartheid and the birth of its democracy with a ceremony in the capital Saturday that included a 21-gun salute and the waving of the nation's multicolored flag.