Organizers for the Woodstock 50 festival have already lost their finance partner and production company, And with less than 70 days remaining until the festival was supposed to begin, they say goodbye to their site.

Watkins Glen International racetrack in Schuyler County announced Monday afternoon “pursuant to provisions of the contract, As such, WGI will not be hosting the Woodstock 50 Festival.”

Though organizers have maintained all performers remain under contract, the event did not secure a mass gathering permit from the state Department of Health, which is needed to place tickets on sale. 

Court papers filed as part of a dispute between Woodstock 50 and its former financial partner show hurdles to obtaining that permit included infrastructure and safety improvements needed. 

Chris Banker, director of public relations for Watkins Glen International, said the racetrack had no further comment beyond its statement.

The racetrack’s announcement places further in doubt the festival slated to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Festival organizers have been locked in a legal battle with former financial partner Dentsu Aegis, as they argue which entity has control over the event and funding for it.

Woodstock 50 organizers are vowing to proceed with the anniversary festival.

“We confirm that we will not be moving forward with Watkins Glen as a venue for Woodstock 50,” Woodstock 50 principal Gregory Peck said in a statement. “We are in discussions with another venue to host Woodstock 50 on Aug. 16-18 and look forward to sharing the new location when tickets go on sale in the coming weeks.”

Stay tuned – Tejay