EDMONTON — Despite Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s hope that the COVID-19 vaccine will allow summer events like the Calgary Stampede to go ahead, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival has been cancelled

The festival says in a statement that without full vaccination, people won’t be entirely safe from the spread of COVID-19. 

It says that with virus variants and an uncertain vaccine rollout, the impossibility of social distancing at the outdoor festival could lead to community spread.

Kenney has said that two-thirds of the population should have a vaccine shot by the end of June and things should begin to feel back-to-normal.

He says the Stampede, which is held in early July, along with sporting events and other festivals will be possible.

The Edmonton Folk Music Festival says it will continue to offer online content and, if small gatherings are permitted, it hopes to add some community engagement.

“With so many variables at play, the complexity of planning and delivering a festival of our size makes it impossible to move forward in our usual manner,” the statement said Monday.

“As profoundly disappointing as this news is, we believe this is the only safe way forward. The safety of our patrons, volunteers, and artists was of paramount importance in coming to this conclusion.”

The annual four-day festival in the city’s Gallagher Park usually attracts thousands of music fans and boasts approximately 2,700 volunteers.

Alberta introduced new health rules last week, closing restaurants to in-person dining and further reducing customer capacity at retail stores in response to rising COVID-19 numbers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2021.

The Canadian Press

CALGARY — Curling’s Humpty’s Champions Cup in Calgary has been pushed back a day.

The first of two Grand Slams was scheduled to open Wednesday morning, but Rogers Sportsnet announced Monday the first draw is now Thursday at noon. 

The final will be played Monday instead of Sunday.

A Sportsnet spokesperson said the delay allows more time to change the sponsorship logos and restore the ice at WinSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre because the delayed men’s world championship final did not finish there until midnight Sunday.

The Humpty’s Champions Cup followed April 20-25 by the Princess Auto Players’ Championship offers a combined $560,000 in prize money.

The top-ranked women’s and men’s team in the world are in the 24-team fields, including five-time world champion Niklas Edin of Sweden, former world champions Brad Gushue and Kevin Koe of Canada and reigning Canadian champions Kerri Einarson and Brendan Bottcher.

The Grand Slams are Calgary’s fifth and sixth events among seven held in a controlled environment without spectators to avoid the COVID-19 virus.

Einarson will represent Canada in the women’s world championship April 30 to May 9 in Calgary.

The conclusion of the men’s world championship was delayed because four participants tested positive for the virus. 

Playoff and semifinal games were postponed from Saturday to Sunday, which pushed the medal games late into the evening.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2021.

The Canadian Press