Sierra Nevada World Music Festival Can't Give Refunds

SNWMF Founder Warren Smith passed away in 2021 and his wife, producer Gretchen Franz Smith has tried to keep the tradition going.Photo byPhoto courtesy of SNWMF Instagram page

In a story that many concertgoers were fearing, the cancelled Sierra Nevada World Music Festival has stated that it will not be able to give refunds to those that paid for tickets. The three-day festival that was supposed to occur in Boonville at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds was cancelled, but little was said about refunds to paying customers. This has happened before with other cancelled festivals in the U.S. Sometimes the festivals file bankruptcy to protect themselves. There also will be no refunds for packages that included lodging.

Festival Attendees Beware:

Festival cancellations happen more than people think. In April, the Skull and Roses festival celebrating the Grateful Dead was cancelled, and fans that bought tickets were told that there were no refunds not only for tickets but also for the hotel packages that cost upwards of $2000. This also doesn't include airfare for those that are flying into the venue to come to the festival.

The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival promoter Gretchen Franz Smith stated in emails that not only were there no refunds at this time, but they would also not be given in the future. Even with this being said, they stated that they are now trying to get investors.

Festival goers have complained that when a festival is cancelled, it usually occurs a week or two before the festival is going to begin, which is a huge time and financial inconvenience. Some are saying that this is done on purpose so that organizers can get as many ticket sales as possible, knowing that in the end they are not going to be able to put on the festival and not have to pay out refunds while keeping the money.

Festival insurance does not account for low or poor ticket sales, so this isn't covered.

The San Francisco Chronicle was told by one of the co-founders that the tickets for the cancelled festival can be used for the Reggae On The River Tour in Piercy, California, which is also in Mendocino County. It will be from August 2-4, and patrons will have to pay an extra $50 per day.