Organizers postpone, reimagine FestivalSouth

(The following is a press release from FestivalSouth organizers. Visit www.FestivalSouth.org for more details.)

FestivalSouth had planned to announce the complete line up for this summer’s annual event and begin ticket sales today, April 1, 2020. However, in the best interest of the public and its’ participants, all of the events planned for this year have been moved to 2021. FestivalSouth is planning to offer and share online content through its’ social media channels and in partnership with local, state, and international presenters.

In a statement, the board of the Hattiesburg Concert Association that presents FestivalSouth and the staff of the festival itself said:

It has been an unprecedented time around the world due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The spread of the virus continues to impact the arts and entertainment industry with cancellations and postponements of events and gatherings to name a few categories.

This has had and will continue to have an impact on the businesses and lives of our community. As the global situation evolves, we as an organization continue to monitor the happenings around the world. Our audiences, presenters, performers and their families are consistently on our minds. With that, we have a few key updates to give you here.

Our new 2020 vision is to provide you, our FestivalFamily, with arts programming any way we can and we look forward to a time where a possibility of public gatherings is reasonable. We, like you, hope that is very soon.

We have been in touch with our generous sponsors, donors and pre-sale ticket holders in regard to their continued support as events move and they, like you, have been amazingly accommodating as we all work through this together.

Together with Signature Magazine, we decided to continue the online voting in the Best of the Pine Belt competition to have an outlet to focus on something different – even if for a moment – as an opportunity to show your love for people, places, and things in our area – even if for a moment. While the awards show might also be postponed or reimagined, we encourage you to take a moment and visit our website to vote and for the latest information when you are able.

When we are finally able to offer live events, it will be truly a joyous occasion and we invite you to be a visible part of the celebration. Our community will need the spiritual and economic boost that a vibrant arts community can provide.

Until then, we appreciate your patience and understanding as we try to provide the best in cultural offerings for our community within a safe environment.