Decimate MetalFest 2020 – planned for June 12-14 at the Millet Agriplex in Alberta, Canada – has been officially cancelled due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Organizers write:
Hey everyone, we finally have an update for you. While sitting in limbo through the mess that is our world right now, I was striving to do everything I could to keep the fest going! But after sitting down, a lot of contemplation and a long hard look at what is happening around us, with the heaviest of hearts, I feel that it is in our best interest, and everyone’s safety to cancel this year’s festival.
There are an array of reasons why we need to make this tough decision, and I sincerely apologize for any disappointment or inconvenience, but our top priority is keeping you all safe. As safety is our primary concern and as the situation worsens, the last thing we want is to be responsible for bringing multiple small groups of people together (regardless of the sanitary precautions we have planned out) and put you in jeopardy of becoming ill furthermore to put your families in jeopardy of becoming ill. We don’t want to be part of the problem, we want to be part of the solution.
At this point, we have to ask ourselves: “Is it worth it?”. There is so much at stake here both directly and indirectly. As much as I love this festival, its crew, its bands, fans and everything it represents, and as much as I want to fight tooth and nail to make this happen, the answer is “No.”. I don’t think it’s worth it. Potentially endangering even one person is not worth it.
We will still be here to support all other Western Canadian Metal Festival Alliance fests that still may take place (Armstrong MetalFest – AMF, Loud as Hell Festival, Metalocalypstick Fest and Hyperspace Metal Festival). We hope that you’ll join us in crossing your fingers, toes, legs, eyes, and anything else cross-able for them all that it can happen and their fests are able to move forward!
In addition, everyone who was on the roster for Decimate 2020 has a direct invite to return to play Decimate 2021 if they are able to do so. We have a hold on the Millet Agriplex for the weekend of June 11th, 12th, and 13th, 2021, so mark your calendars, because we’re coming back with a vengeance next year, and the rest of the lineup is SICK!!!
I hope you are well and safe. Love you guys.
This year’s edition of the fest was to feature sets by over 35 acts.
