Carmel Bach Festival canceled for first time since WWII

CARMEL, Calif. (KION) Organizers of the 2020 Carmel Bach Festival announced Monday that the event is canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is only the third time the festival has been canceled, and the other two times were during World War II.

Right now Monterey County is under a Shelter in Place order, but organizers said even if the country did begin to reopen, they believe it would be too risky and that large gatherings will not be allowed for a while.

The festival asks that those who have already purchased tickets consider converting them into donations.

"Increased attendance and community support and prudent financial management, especially during the years 2017-2019, enabled us to accumulate some reserve funds, but not enough to fulfill the needs arising from the pandemic experience. At this time, we believe it is especially important to make a personally meaningful investment in the family members that have the greatest needs: our musicians and artistic members, who have been among the hardest hit, and our staff, who require adequate working capital to plan and prepare a fantastic 2021 season and maintain essential administrative functions," organizers said in a statement on social media.

Ticket holders have the option to return the tickets for donation, place them on hold and apply them to 2021 festival tickets or get a refund.

The 2021 Carmel Bach Festival is expected to be held July 17 to 31.

To contact the ticket office, email Julie at bachfestival.org. The office is currently closed.

Read the full statement from festival organizers below.