July 26, 2019 

Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412

ELLICOTT CITY – Media outlets have reported that “Woodstock 50”, a music festival marking the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, is now planned to be held at Merriweather Post Pavilion in August. After being forced to cancel at its initial venue, the future of this historic festival was put in doubt. Now, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the venue are working with concert promoters to save the festival and hold the event at Merriweather Post Pavilion. County Executive Ball has released the following statement:

“Holding Woodstock 50 at Merriweather is a remarkable opportunity to bring a piece of American history to our community this summer. When we heard that there was an opportunity to save this festival, we jumped at the chance. Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia is a jewel of Howard County and one of the top music venues in the nation. 

Today, Howard County is ready to do our part to host a safe and memorable event. We look forward to working with the venue and the promoters to complete the permit process and make this festival official. Right now, we are taking steps to complete the permit process, just as we do for every great event at Merriweather. Howard County is no stranger to hosting big concerts, from Virgin FreeFest to JazzFest, and more. We will continue checking all our boxes to ensure we put on an event of the caliber this historic festival deserves.

In 1969, a farmer with a vision made history, bringing us together under the banner of ‘Peace & Music’. Around the same time, the town of Columbia was founded here in Howard County with the same shared values of inclusion and communal love. Fifty years later, it feels like the perfect fit to bring a world-class festival to our world-class city.

As Howard County Executive, I welcome Woodstock 50 to our community and look forward to marking a unique moment in cultural history.” 
 

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