Organizers of a popular Sarnia summer concert festival have made the difficult decision to cancel this year's event.
The Revelree Music Festival had been a July staple at Canatara Park since debuting in 2022.
Although he declined to get into specifics, Festival Director Scott Palko said it's an unfortunate situation.
"We were blindsided by a couple things that we just didn't see coming," said Palko. "The team has been working to get the festival ready and unfortunately, we had some unforeseen circumstances that came up recently and ultimately those circumstances just didn't allow for us to put the festival on to the manner that we hoped and want to and what we think the city has come to expect."
Palko said they're shifting their focus to 2027 in hopes of returning.
"We want to be a mainstay in Sarnia, we want to have an opportunity to celebrate the emerging artists that we feature in the Road to Revelree and we want to make sure we have a summer festival," he said. "Sarnia has been phenomenal in supporting live entertainment so we're going to right away start working ahead on the next version."
Palko said they've already held three preliminary Road to Revelree shows but the next one and the finals have both been cancelled.
"We've touched base with all the artists, the winners of the previous three preliminary shows, we're going to work to either put them on stage somewhere around the province or work on a couple other shows we're hoping to put on later in the summer," said Palko. "The people who unfortunately aren't going to get to play the May Road to Revelree show have already been offered a spot in the 2027 Road to Revelree."
He said the positive thing to take from the break is they have time to go back and look at all the ways the event can be improved upon.
The organization is still partnering with the Alzheimer Society of Sarnia-Lambton on an upcoming event, which is expected to be announced soon.
They will also be hosting additional live music events throughout the summer and fall.
A few notable Revelree acts over the years have included Goo Goo Dolls, Arkells, The Trews, Big Wreck, The Sheepdogs, Bedouin Soundclash, Blue Rodeo and Tom Cochrane.
