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
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.