LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Forecastle Festival won't be rocking the Louisville waterfront this year.
The festival posted the news on social media Thursday saying it "will return stronger than ever in 2022."
That's when Forecastle officials say the music, art and activism will move to Memorial Day weekend, which will hopefully bring cooler temperatures. The festival has traditionally been held in July with scorching temperatures and fans wilting in the sun.
The post says organizers hope to "make improvements across the board to make Forecastle 2022 an even more incredible experience."
Forecastle was canceled in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic and had planned to return this year.
In 2019, Louisville Tourism said Forecastle brought in around 65,000 attendees and just under $5 million to the region.
"Sad for tourism. Sad for a lot of people, but certainly understandable that they would make that financial decision," Stacey Yates, with Louisville Tourism, said. "They're obviously making decisions based on their best interest so they can survive the pandemic and come out strong."
The 2021 cancellation follows the announcement that Bourbon & Beyond and Hometown Rising also will not be taking place this year. It is a hit to the economy, but Yates said there are still events to look forward to.
Louder than Life is still moving forward, as well as Kentucky Derby Festival events. Derby festivities usually add up to a $400 million economic impact.
"This year with the Derby being at a reduced capacity, we're hopeful we may be up to half of that traditional spend," Yates said.
Yates said other events Louisville is expecting to host this year include youth sports, expos and the Street Rod Nationals.
"Right now for booked business we have forecasted 395,000 room nights based on conventions or meetings business," Yates said. "There's a lot of positive signs and indicators that tourism is moving forward into that recovery phase."
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