Muncie MusicFest canceled

Audience members gather around the stage to hear Mutts play at Muncie MusicFest. This was the first year that the festival took place in the Village, with venues at Be Here Now, Dill Street Bar and Grill, The Chug and The Cup. DN PHOTO JONATHAN MIKSANEK
Audience members gather around the stage to hear Mutts play at Muncie MusicFest. This was the first year that the festival took place in the Village, with venues at Be Here Now, Dill Street Bar and Grill, The Chug and The Cup. DN PHOTO JONATHAN MIKSANEK

The eighth annual Muncie MusicFest has been canceled after problems with vendors, sponsors and scheduling conflicts.

Dozens of bands typically gather to entertain both local and out-of-state music fans during the festival. 

This year, it would have been hosted in downtown Muncie.

“The problems started when the festival directors were told that they couldn’t close off Walnut Street in downtown Muncie for the event,” Graham Watson, director and founder, said. 

This limited the space the bands could play in, so the board tried to find indoor venues downtown.

“The Silo [a local bar] was the only one that was supportive of the festival and wanted to participate ... The Living Room [a multipurpose venue] was very supportive as well, but wasn’t available on the night of the festival,” Watson said. 

Be Here Now, a local venue and a supporter of MusicFest 2013, was also booked the night of the festival.

Watson said funding for MusicFest was problematic as well. The primary sponsor dropped out last minute to fund another project. This, along with the high cost of performing onstage at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie, was influential in the cancellation of the festival.

“The bands, for the most part, have expressed disappointment,” Watson said. 

Before the cancellation, 51 bands had signed up to perform at the festival.

“It’s something the community enjoys ... [They are] the people who really lose out,” said Derek Edwards, owner and manager of White Rabbit Used Books in the Village. 

He said he was saddened to hear the news about the festival.

As for MusicFest 2015, Watson remains hopeful but cautious. Muncie MusicFest 2013 was hosted in the Village, and Watson said the Village businesses were very supportive. He also said if the 2015 festival were to take place, it would most likely be hosted in the Village instead of Downtown Muncie.

“We’ll gather together as many interested parties as we can and have another honest assessment of whether or not Muncie can sustain a grassroots, locally-focused music festival like this one,” Watson said.

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