The 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards, which were scheduled to happen in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, next month, have just announced the event has been cancelled this year. The festival is the latest to join a growing list of events, including SXSW, Coachella and the JUNO Awards, to either cancel or postpone due to concerns for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Canadian Folk Music Awards released this statement this morning:
“The Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMAs), in partnership with Music PEI, is very sad to announce the cancellation of the 15th Annual Canadian Folk Music Awards weekend, scheduled for April 3rd & 4th in Charlottetown, P.E.I., due to growing concerns about COVID-19.
After considering carefully the advice of governments, public health authorities and medical experts, as well as consulting with the folk music community, we feel this is the best course of action as the health and safety of our patrons, artists, staff and the general public is paramount and the rapidly changing course of the pandemic world-wide is difficult to predict.
We will explore alternative ways to celebrate the remarkable achievements of this year’s nominees and recipients from the wonderful world of Canadian folk music in the days to come. We also want to thank everyone involved for their tireless work and generous support. Tickets purchased for this year’s CFMA events in Charlottetown are eligible for refunds. We will provide details of how to obtain refunds as soon as possible. Check our website for updates.
Many airlines are currently offering free exchanges and/or cancellations for airline tickets through to the end of April, 2020 due to COVID-19. Please visit airline websites directly for the latest policies (AIR CANADA / WESTJET). If you have made hotel reservations please be sure to contact the hotel to cancel.
We thank you for your understanding and your continued support.”
Founded in 2005, the 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards would have been the festival’s debut appearance on Prince Edward Island. The CFMAs have not been held in Atlantic Canada since 2012 in Saint John, Brunswick.
Of the 105 nominations this year, 21 went to Atlantic Canadians. Click here to read the full list of nominations.