We’re now discovering out why the Nation Highway Music Pageant was canceled earlier this week.
Nation music followers that had plans to attend the Nation Roads Music Pageant at The Groves of Michigan Campground had been solely days away from the three-day-event when the organizers behind it pulled the plug. Nation Roads – which was set to incorporate artists like Colt Ford, Stressed Highway, and Drew Baldridge – was speculated to kick off on Friday, July 18 and run via July 20.
The competition was nonetheless being pushed and marketed a mere 4 days in the past, when the social media account for the occasion said that Nation Roads was “simply across the nook.” However plans modified prior to now 100 hours, as a result of the latest publish from the competition shared the information that Nation Roads could be postponed to 2026.
Right here’s the message that was despatched out:
“We’ve made the tough choice to postpone Nation Roads Music Pageant till 2026. This wasn’t a simple name, however we really imagine it’s the appropriate one. Our purpose has at all times been to create one thing significant for this group, and we wish to give it the time and care it deserves.
All tickets can be absolutely refunded. You don’t must do a factor, we’ll deal with it on our finish and ensure that cash will get again to you as shortly as attainable. We’re so grateful to your assist and understanding. This group means the world to us, and we will’t wait to share one thing actually particular with you in 2026.”
Apparently sufficient, the Nation Roads Music Pageant was considerably of a reimagining of the Quicker Horses Pageant that additionally came about in Michigan… and was additionally canceled. Actually, the placement of the Nation Roads occasion was simply down the highway from Michigan Worldwide Speedway, the place Quicker Horses came about.
When Quicker Horses introduced it’s cancellation in January of this yr, the information of the brand new Nation Roads competition was shared just a few weeks later. And the blueprint for Nation Roads was similar to Quicker Horses, with tenting, music, a 3K run and a corn gap event promised as part of the proceedings.
The cancelation could come as a shock to some, because it was definitely a final minute cancelation (there’s little question about that). Nonetheless, one individual that was shocked the competition was referred to as off was occasion organizer herself, Darci Keyes.
She informed Fox2 Detroit that the she noticed the writing on the wall for the late cancellation far sooner than this week, and that she could have underestimated how a lot work goes into selling a competition:
“I don’t suppose that we ever obtained to that vital minimal ticket gross sales stage. After we obtained all the things finished and obtained tickets on sale. We in all probability solely had about three-and-a-half months and I feel in hindsight – Monday morning quarterbacking – it in all probability wasn’t enough time to have the ability to promote the competition.”
Regardless of faltering within the first try with the Nation Roads music competition, Keyes says that she plans on regrouping and making an attempt once more – doubtlessly in 2026. Solely time will inform whether or not the competition is introduced again subsequent yr or a few years down the highway, however I’ve obtained to say… in case you’ve been pressured to cancel two festivals in a matter of a pair months, it is likely to be price asking if having one is definitely price it within the first place.
