Dundee’s popular Westfest has fallen victim to the pandemic on what would have been the 10th anniversary of the outdoor music event.
The city’s largest free outdoor festival was scheduled for Sunday June 7, but Westfest committee members say there is now no option but to delay it until around the same time in 2021.
Chairman Martin Hay said: “The Westfest committee got together via an online video meeting to consider the current pandemic issues and how they would affect this year’s Big Sunday.
“A discussion was held and it was decided reluctantly that we feel that there is no option but to cancel this year’s event, which is the 10th anniversary of Westfest.
“This decision wasn’t taken lightly as the committee’s volunteer members work hard throughout the year and preparations were almost complete for this year’s event.”
He said the committee was overwhelmed with the reaction from many of the stallholders who had paid deposits in anticipation of this year’s event and had advised them to hold onto them for next year.
“The Westfest committee won’t be resting though, as we have some plans to hold a couple of other events later in the year and we are currently carrying out some early preparatory work and due diligence into them,” he said.
“We will then look to start planning next year’s Big Sunday and we can all have a big party on Magdalen Green once again.”
He added that everyone associated with Westfest wanted to pay tribute to the doctors, nurses, health and social care professionals on the front line and to everyone else still working to keep the country going.
“Our hearts also go out to those who have been directly affected by this pandemic,” he said.
