Leroy Sibbles ADD

Cancelled! Sierra Nevada World Music Festival 2024

06/16/2024

2024 is shaping up to be a very bad year for reggae festivals! Following the recent cancellations of Reggae Jam Festival International (Jamaica) and Chillville (Netherlands) and festivals that were never even announced (Reggae Sundance in the Netherlands and OverJam Festival in Slovenia), the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival was cancelled today. Here is the official press release:

PRESS RELEASE: Sierra Nevada World Music Festival Just Announced Cancellation
Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (SNWMF) just announced the cancellation of their 2024 set for next weekend. This festival is well-known for its traditional Jamaican music and family-friendly atmosphere.
 
With just a week away, producer Gretchen Franz-Smith released this statement this morning, "With a very heavy heart, SNWMF BNVL LLC must announce the cancellation of Sierra Nevada World Music Festival 2024, due to unforeseen circumstances and low ticket sales. 
 
Last year, the SNWMF team beautifully and successfully revitalized the festival after a five-year hiatus. We have been diligently working towards presenting another magical weekend  this year. This has become increasingly difficult due to an extremely sharp decrease in ticket sales the past couple weeks."

Despite cutting expenses and bands wherever possible, the increased costs of infrastructure, transport and more, plus insufficient funds from ticket sales, SNWMF realized they cannot proceed knowing they will be unable to meet their financial commitments across the board, or to present their usual high-quality event. 
 
SNWMF has stated that they will do everything possible to issue refunds. SNWMF will keep ticket buyers informed through newsletters and social media posts. 
 
Franz Smith continues, "We cannot apologize enough for this turn of events or the late notice. We have considered every option the last couple weeks but must face the harsh economic realities. We cannot express our gratitude and love to everyone who has supported SNWMF."

This would have been the 27th installment of this event. Sierra Nevada World Music Festival returned with gusto in 2023 after a five-year hiatus.
 
Today's cancellation adds yet another to the list of the many 2024 festivals that are cancelling.
 
Updates can be found at SNWMF.com

CANCELLATION NOTICE
"With very a heavy heart, SNWMF BNVL LLC must announce the cancellation of Sierra Nevada World Music Festival 2024, June 21-23, at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds, Boonville, CA. 

Last year, the SNWMF team beautifully and successfully revitalized the festival after a 5 year hiatus. We planned and have been diligently working towards presenting another magical weekend this year. This has become increasingly difficult due to extreme financial challenges. 

We have tirelessly explored and exhausted all options. We cannot proceed knowing we are unable to deliver the usual high quality event you deserve. 

Please give us a little time to sort this. 

We cannot apologize enough for this turn of events and the late notice. We have worked very hard to avoid a cancellation but must face the harsh economic realities. SNWMF cannot express enough our gratitude and love to everyone who has supported SNWMF over the past 30 years. 

With regret, love and respect, 

Gretchen Franz Smith for SNWMF BNVL LLC"