The organisers of the much-delayed Good Times Festival, from the crew behind Strawberry Fields, can’t catch a break. After postponing and eventually cancelling what was supposed to be their inaugural 2021 event and announcing new 2022 dates, this year’s event has been called off as well due to continuing COVID-19 restrictions.
Last month, organisers announced the festival would launch at long last in February 2022 in the regional NSW town of Tocumwal, with a lineup that included Josh Teskey and Ash Grunwald, Sam Teskey, Cash Savage & the Last Drinks, Emma Donovan & the Putbacks and more.
Now, the team behind Good Times have announced “with a heavy heart” the cancellation of this year’s event, setting their sights on 2023.
“We had high hopes that we would be able to bring you some good old fashioned good times in the wonderful town of Tocumwal this summer, but sadly with current restrictions and this being a community event, we have made the tough decision to put our plans on hold till 2023,” reads a statement from organisers today.
“We would like to say a massive thank you to all ticket holders for your ongoing support, along with the artists, sponsors and suppliers who we know are equally sad they won’t get to give back to regional NSW and come together with you salt of the earth folk this year.
“Keep your spirits high and the soul warm with some blues, rock and soul music at home in the meantime and we’ll be back when we have confirmed dates for 2023. Thanks for understanding and sticking with us on this wild ride.”
Good Times is the latest NSW festival to be affected by the recent surge in community-transmitted COVID-19 cases and subsequent restrictions. Earlier this month, the NSW edition of the Grapevine Gathering wine and music festival was cancelled by organisers just a few days before it was due to take place after the government prohibited singing and dancing by patrons at music festivals in the state.
Earlier in the month, the Tamworth Country Music Festival was postponed “given the current state of COVID transmission”, with Sydney’s King Street Carnival also pushed back. “With case numbers spiraling and the ongoing uncertainty around the current outbreak, we as organisers don’t feel that now is the right time to be bringing large crowds into the local community,” organisers said in a statement at the time.
