An update to the location debacle for Woodstock 50 has risen. Organizers just applied for a permit for a new, smaller site: Vernon Downs. This could mean a smaller capacity for the already troubled music festival’s anniversary. Dates for the event are still scheduled for August 16-18. News of this is confirmed by the Poughkeepsie Journal.
Vernon Downs is a venue that operates a “racino” hotel and harness horse racing track in Oneida County, New York. Town of Vernon’s supervisor, Randy Watson, says the proposed capacity is now at 45,000-50,000 people, a significant cut from the original 150,000. The other venue proposes 70,000 people, so this is a rather extreme cut for losses.
This site has hosted many music festivals before. It is a four-hour drive from New York City, and there are no onsite camping options. Attendees will have to arrive by bus.
Watson discussed the potential staging and went over all past complications to county officials last Saturday. The crowd violence and fires are something he wants to avoid. Local farers and other property owners have approached him about camping options. With this in mind, permit approval is being pushed as quickly as possible from all parties.
With less than two months away, this festival has really tried to pull through. No confirmed venue and no confirmed ticket sales, do not make for a good outlook. The $18.5 million court appeal also set them back, but Woodstock co-founder, Michael Lang, will not give up.
Jay-Z, Miley Cyrus, Dead & Company, and others are slated to perform. One prospective option is to move the event to a parking lot outside of Citi Field in Queens. Will the Bird of Peace come back? Stay tuned for more updated news on this.
