ORGANISERS behind Doonhame Festival have announced that the two-day event has been cancelled — just two weeks before it was due to go ahead.
Musical acts the Kaiser Chiefs, Toploader, Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5 and a host of others were set to take to the stage at the Crichton in Dumfries at the end of the month.
In June, festival bosses welcomed news that the Government was relaxing rules on physical distancing, confirming that it meant they could “confidently go ahead as planned”.
But in a statement released this morning, Doonhame Festival’s cancellation was confirmed – for the second year running.
Organisers said the decision was taken following changes to level 0 Coronavirus restrictions announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon this week.
“It is with great sadness and frustration that following the First Minister’s announcement on Tuesday , by which the terms of level 0 were unexpectedly amended, we have have sadly no choice but to cancel Doonhame Festival and Doonhame Kids Festival 2021,” the statement released on social media read.
It added that the decision to maintain the one metre social distancing rule at events would make it “impossible” to deliver the festival as planned.
“We have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to deliver all all that has been asked of us by local authorities and and Scottish Government to ensure a safe and enjoyable festival for you and your friends and family, but the latest changes that have been implemented can be overcome.”
Disappointed ticketholders are being offered refunds or the option of carrying their ticket over to Doonhame Festival 2022, the dates of which were confirmed at the end of the statement.
“The 2022 festival will take place on Friday 15 July and Saturday 16 July 2022 and the Doonhame Kids Festival will take place on Sunday 17 July 2022,” it said, adding: “This avoids conflict with any other festivals in Scotland and the North of England and takes place on what would traditionally have been, the Wickerman Festival.”
