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30th Anniversary

Spectrum Festival organizers cancel event for second straight summer

May 13, 2021 | 12:03 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – For the second year in a row, there will be no Spectrum Festival kicking off the summer in our city.

On social media on Thursday morning, organizers confirmed the 30th anniversary of the event has been axed due to the current public health restrictions in place.

The 2021 edition of Spectrum was slated to take place over the first weekend of June.

In their post, organizers confirm it was a difficult decision but one that was necessary at this time.

“Our primary concern is for the safety of our beautiful community and all those in it. We feel it is in Spectrum’s best interest to cancel the 2021 event. Thank you to our loyal followers and all those who continue to support the Spectrum Festival Foundation and what it means to the community.”

Organizers say they will be watching to see what the future holds for the event and when they will be able to safely and confidently hold Spectrum again.

However, board president Holly Tataryn said they are in dire need of board members to keep the festival alive in 2022.

“Our board has taken a huge hit and we could be in trouble if we don’t get some members on our board,” said Tataryn. “We’re trying to work with the Chamber of Commerce for them to help us get some board members, but we’re in a bad spot right now.”

Tataryn added they are looking for roughly six new board members, those interested can email info@spectrumfestival.ca.

As of Thursday morning, the City of Medicine Hat is sitting at 208 active cases of COVID-19.