SUMMER FESTIVALS POSTPONED 

London's major summer music celebrations are not taking place this summer. The organizers of SunFest, Rock The Park and Home County all released statements confirming that there event's would not be taking place this summer due to COVID-19 concerns. Official statments below from organizations. 

Start.ca Rocks the Park has been part of London’s summer celebrations for seventeen years. Our festival is a staple in the London community where we pride ourselves on our social and economic benefits, including raising over $3.5 million for local charities. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the postponing of our festival until July 14^th – 17^th, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last few weeks we have been monitoring the situation closely and have determined that, along with government mandates in Ontario, it is no longer safe to move forward with our festival in July. The well-being of our fans, artists, staff, vendors, partners and the surrounding community is our number one priority. These are without a doubt crazy and unprecedented times but as a city and community, we will all get through this. Our company has been in the entertainment business for over ninety years and we are no stranger to challenges. We will overcome this and grow from it, but now is the time to be safe, smart and look out for one another by protecting everyone else who supports us.
 
As organizers, we have taken everything into consideration in order to make out a plan of action going forward. We have worked very closely with our artists and are thrilled to announce only a few changes in our line up for 2021.
 
Please read carefully for line up / ticketing related questions per night:
 
Wednesday, July 15^th, 2020 – CANCELLED

• Due to artist scheduling conflicts, we could not re-confirm have Jack Johnson / Vance Joy / Any Shauf to perform at Start.ca Rocks the Park 2021
• Tickets will automatically be refunded through point of purchase
• CASH purchases made directly at the box office will need to be returned for cash once the box office re-opens (as non-essential businesses open back up, please follow government updates)
• New programming for Wednesday, July 14^th, 2021 will be announced once finalized

Thursday, July 16^th, 2020 – REMAINS THE SAME

• Blink 182 and Simple Plan will return to play Thursday, July 15^th, 2021
• If you wish to keep your ticket for the 2021 date, no further action is needed. Your current tickets will stay valid. 
• If you would like to request a refund for your ticket, please: VISIT HERE
• *VIP Purchasers: we strongly encourage you keep your VIP tickets as you will no longer be guaranteed the same table once refunded*

Friday, July 17^th, 2020 – REMAINS THE SAME (1 ADDITION)

• TLC / NELLY / Arrested Development / Jenny from Ace of Base / 2 Live Crew will play on Friday, July 16^h, 2021
• AQUA has been added to the line up
• If you wish to keep your ticket for the 2021 date, no further action is needed. Your current tickets will stay valid. 

• If you would like to request a refund for your ticket, please: VISIT HERE

• *VIP Purchasers: we strongly encourage you keep your VIP tickets as you will no longer be guaranteed the same table once refunded*

Saturday, July 18^th, 2020 – CANCELLED

• Due to artist scheduling conflicts, we could not re-confirm Dallas Smith / Billy Currington / Blanco Brown to preform at Start.ca Rocks the Park 2021
• Tickets will automatically be refunded through point of purchase
• CASH purchases made directly at the box office will need to be returned for cash once the box office re-opens (as non-essential businesses open back up, please follow government updates)
• New programming for Saturday, July 17^th, 2021 will be announced once finalized

 
All refund requests MUST be submitted by May 31^st, 2020. All refunds will be processed within 30 days once the request period ends on May 31^st. Only primary ticket holders will be receiving a refund. If you did not buy your tickets through EVENTBRITE, please contact the person you bought the tickets from. REFUND REQUEST LINK: VISIT HERE
 
This process takes time and all parties are working incredibly hard to expedite this process to ensure everyone who is entitled to a refund receives one as quickly as possible. Again, we are saddened by this decision, but look forward to seeing everyone July 14^th to 17^th, 2021 at Start.ca Rocks the Park.
 
If you have any questions that are not answered here, feel free to reach out via email at admin@jonesentertainmentgroup.ca
 
ENTER ROCK THE PARK WEBSITE HERE  

TD SUNFEST AND HOMECOUNTY MUSIC & ART FESTIVAL POSTPONED UNTIL 2021 BECAUSE OF COVID19
 
LONDON, ON – After consulting with government and health officials and following their advice on how to respond to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Sunfest Committee and the Home County Folk League have made the difficult but necessary decisions to postpone the next edition of TD Sunfest until July 8-11, 2021 and Home County Music & Art Festival until July 16-18 2021.  We are extremely sad, but, at the same time, confident that these are the right and responsible decisions.
 
“In these extraordinary and worrying times, nothing matters more than our commitment to protect the health, safety and well-being of the SUNFEST family and the wider community in which we live,” said Alfredo Caxaj, Executive & Artistic Director of TD Sunfest.
 
“This was a very hard call to make, but it is clearly the wisest and most responsible choice,” said Paul Mills, Chair of the Home County Folk League.  “The path that the COVID-19 pandemic will take over the next few months is uncertain, and rather than take any chances, the most prudent course of action was to make this difficult but necessary decision.”
 
We know the tremendous impact that a postponement will have on all our festival stakeholders, including artists, food & craft exhibitors, patrons, staff and volunteers.  Each year, TD Sunfest and Home County are two of the main drivers of London’s tourism boom.  As popular destination events, they normally attract tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe, contribute millions of dollars to the local and provincial economies, and represent the greatest expressions of the Forest City’s musical and socio-cultural diversity in a free and upbeat environment.  But with many countries, including our own, still in lockdown and limiting international travel (and our guest artists unable to secure visas and make flight arrangements), this July is no time to stage major outdoor public gatherings.
 
Although the next few months are going be particularly challenging for Sunfest and Home County, both of which are grass-roots non-profit organizations that survive on sponsorships, grants and public donations, we are excited about returning stronger than ever in the summer of 2021.  The arts have always been an extraordinarily powerful vehicle for bringing people together and Londoners’ appetite for celebrating this unique bond of creativity, fellowship and cultural diversity remains insatiable.
 
“The TD Sunfest and Home County festivals are special gathering places for friends, family and community.  We know this announcement is difficult for many to hear as we crave familiar sights and sounds,” shared Andrea Hibbert, Executive Director of the London Arts Council.  “We will continue to work with these arts organizations in order to navigate through these uncertain times.  And when it is safe to gather again, we will meet you in the Park!” 

For additional information about this story, please contact:
 
• Alfredo Caxaj
Executive & Artistic Director, TD Sunfest
info@sunfest.on.ca   
519-318-6950
www.sunfest.on.ca
 
• Tim Fraser
Artistic Director, Home County Music & Art Festival
tim@homecounty.ca
519-643-8788
www.homecounty.ca