It looks like there will be no Woodstock 50 concert at Vernon Downs this year — or possibly anywhere at all — after the town voted unanimously on Tuesday night to uphold its application denial.
Organizers released a statement after the decision, thanking everyone who supported them in recent weeks as it pushed to have the anniversary event moved to the upstate race track.
“Woodstock 50 is disappointed that the Town of Vernon has passed up the opportunity to hold the historic 50th Anniversary Festival by denying our robust and thoughtful proposal,” the statement said. “We regret that those in Vernon who supported Woodstock have been deprived of the once-in-a-lifetime chance to be part of the rebirth of a cultural peace movement that changed the world in 1969 and is what the world needs now. We want to thank the artists who stood by us. We are grateful for the support of Vernon Downs and its generous owner Jeffrey Gural.”
The rejection marks the third time in two weeks that Woodstock 50 has been denied — with the latest coming from the Vernon Planning Board.
Virgin Produced, the company that had been backing the festival and advising with the Woodstock team, announced that it would be pulling out as a result.
“[Virgin Produced] has officially concluded its consulting role with respect to the company and the proposed festival,” it said in a statement to Pollstar magazine. “Given that the attempt to secure permits with the Town of Vernon, NY and related state agencies has been finally denied, Virgin Produced has concluded its advisory mandate and terminated its services agreement. Virgin Produced, and its CEO Jason Felts, wish Woodstock all the best in its future endeavors.”
The event’s original producer, Superfly — as well as its follow-up company, CID Entertainment — have also abandoned ship.
“Woodstock will always be remembered as an iconic moment in history,” Felts said. “Despite our formidable effort to assist Michael Lang and the Woodstock 50 ownership in resurrecting their NY festival, it has become apparent that time has expired. It is imperative to us to produce an event at the highest level; in which all artists and consumers deserve. Without a venue and related permits secured, there is simply no time left to do so.”
The Woodstock 50 event had been originally planned for Aug. 16 to 18 at Watkins Glen International racetrack, but those plans also fell through. An estimated 65,000 people were expected to attend.