After just one year, the Boonstock Music Festival is leaving Penticton.
The company announced today that it would not be returning to Penticton after a troubled first year in the city.
“It is with a heavy heart that Boonstock Productions Inc would like to inform you that the Boonstock Music & Arts Festival will not be returning to Penticton, BC in 2015,” they wrote on their Facebook page.
“We appreciate all the love and support we have received from all you BOONSTOCKERS over the last 10 years and are proud of the festival, its many volunteers, workers, sponsors and festival attendees. Our Boonstock family would like to thank you immensely for making the last 10 years possible.”
The festival moved to Penticton after nine years in Sturgeon County, Alberta. In 2013 the county voted to ban the festival following complaints by homeowners as it continued to grow in size.
The company quickly announced they would move to Penticton, but the first and only incarnation of Boonstock in Penticton had several setbacks.
WATCH: Global Okanagan’s coverage of Boonstock 2014
The BC Liquor Control and Licensing Branch denied the festival a liquor license over inadequate safety and security planning, and the company hired to provide security terminated its agreement just prior to the event.
During Boonstock itself, a 24-year-old woman died of a suspected drug overdose and several dozen others had to be hospitalized. Security costs ended up being over $175,000.
Boonstock has not indicated whether they will attempt to revive the festival in another city.
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