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UPDATE: If this doesn’t stick a fork in Woodstock 50…

Woodstock 50 is like a zombie that just won’t go down. But this might be the shot to the head that finally kills it.

After failing to secure an agreement/get permits/pay a deposit to Watkins Glen International racetrack, organizer Michael Lang tried to move everything over to another racetrack, Vernon Downs, one with one-third the capacity (50,000) of what he originally wanted.

Now, 39 days from when the gates are supposed to open, Vernon Downs is out, too. All permit requests have been denied.

Variety reports “The promoters have five days to appeal the decision, [Oneida County Administrator Anthony] Picente says, ‘but what they have submitted to date has not met many of the requirements’ to stage the festival and the chances of it taking place in Oneida Country seem ‘highly unlikely,’ he added.”

Gee, I can’t imagine why. There are no camping facilities. The plan switched from a three-day music festival to three one-day events. There’s no money coming in. And the 80-ish artists contract to perform are nervous.

Read more here.

Meanwhile, Woodstock 50 people are saying that politics were being this permit denial. Celebrity Access reports:

“In response to the denial of an event permit by the Town of Vernon, Woodstock 50 believes certain political forces may be working against the resurrection of the Festival. Local reports claim Woodstock’s filing for the permit was “incomplete” but that is not the case. Woodstock 50 officials were informed by the Town of Vernon that most questions had been answered and asked only that Woodstock submit medical, safety/security and traffic plans by this past Sunday, which it did.” Woodstock organizers said in a statement to CelebrityAccess on Wednesday.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38011 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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