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Rockin River Fest won't return to Merritt in 2023

The country music festival that usually runs over the B.C. Day long weekend has been cancelled by organizers citing 'economic obstacles'

A crowd shot at the main stage during Rockin River Music Fest in 2018. The event is cancelled in 2023.
A crowd shot at the main stage during Rockin River Music Fest in 2018. The event is cancelled in 2023. Photo by Matt Lucas Photography

A family-run country music festival in Merritt won’t take place on B.C. Day weekend in 2023.

Organizers of the Rockin River Fest, a successor to Merritt Mountain Music Fest, cited “a series of economic obstacles” for the decision to cancel the event this coming summer.

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Originally held in Mission, Rockin River moved to the shores of the Coldwater River four years after the demise of Merritt Mountain, continuing a tradition in a city that bills itself as the country music capital of Canada.

The festival was set for one of its biggest years ever when country star Keith Urban was scheduled to headline in 2020. Like almost every public party planned that year, it was cancelled due to COVID-19.

The 2019 event featured Jason Aldean, and big acts like Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum and Willie Nelson have performed over the years.

Organizers posted a notice on their website at the start of the weekend saying the cancellation came down to money.

“Over time, we have been met with a series of economic obstacles that we tried our best to overcome,” read the notice. “But in the end, we have made the decision not to move forward with the festival in 2023.”

Organizers thanked the City of Merritt for welcoming them “with open arms,” as well as the artists, staff and fans for their loyalty.

Longtime planner and promoter Kenny Hess said he wasn’t involved in the 2022 festival except to help book talent, saying Live Nation handled the day-to-day operations last year.

The 2022 event went ahead but with disappointing attendance, said Hess — unsurprising less than a year after devastating flooding along the Coldwater River that saw many residents lose their homes.

But Hess told a Fraser Valley publication he was “sad” and hoped he and his family could revive the festival at some point.

The website notice offered no clues about the possibility of a return, other than to say: “We hope to see you again soon!”