Music festival canceled
"Danny + Joy" performs on the Big Mountain Stage during the Under the Big Sky music festival last year at Big Mountain Ranch east of Whitefish. (Daniel McKay/Whitefish Pilot file)
Local music lovers will have to wait another year for the second Under the Big Sky festival.
The festival announced last week that it’s postponing this year’s event, scheduled for July 18-19, until July of 2021, as crowd restrictions remain in place due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The two-day festival, which began last year, is held on the Big Mountain Ranch east of town.
Last year the festival drew about 30,000 people over the two days.
The festival announced the cancellation via a Facebook post and on its website.
“We held on as long as was reasonably possible, but even with the latest developments we just don’t see a path forward,” the Facebook post said. “We have been lucky enough to secure nearly all the same artists for next year, though, and will have more artists announced soon.”
This year’s lineup featured Tyler Childers, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Emmylou Harris and Brothers Osborne, along with several other performers, including local favorites such as The Lil Smokies.
All tickets will be valid for the 2021 concert, and those who retain their tickets will be treated to a special opening night concert. Refunds are available by going to the website at underthebigskyfest.com.