Woodstock ticket delay causes speculation

SCHUYLER COUNTY--For an event that has generated more questions than answers, perhaps one the biggest factors, what the event will cost, remains up in the air. However, an application filed last week with the Department of Health (DOH) does state an attendance number of 75,000 according to Schuyler County Administrator Tim O'Hearn. In the past few months, estimates were often in the neighborhood of 100,000.
The three-day Woodstock 50 music festival in August celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 1969 original event. Original co-founder Michael Lang has been the promoter and face of the 2019 concert to be held at the Watkins Glen International racetrack. Other than a community question and answer session in March, official updates from Woodstock about the festival have been brief. This has led to speculation circulating in both the community and online about the status of the event.
At the beginning of April, it was announced The Black Keys would not be able to play at Woodstock 50. The statement read, "Due to a scheduling conflict, The Black Keys will unfortunately need to cancel their set at Woodstock. The band wants to let fans know as soon as possible and before tickets go on sale."
The update continued, "Woodstock 50 has an amazing lineup of artists that will steward our mission of peace, love and music, and we welcome everyone to join us. Tickets go on sale on Earth Day, April 22."
Friday, April 19, Variety, a source that has broken a number of stories about Woodstock, announced a postponement of the ticket on-sale date. Soon after, the official Woodstock site changed from the Monday sale date to "on sale soon."
A number of permits are required for the event, but one from the DOH is needed to begin selling tickets. Administrator O'Hearn confirmed the request was submitted Monday, April 15 and is under review. He explained the document is some 400 pages.
This did not stop the buzz of the festival being in jeopardy.
A story by Billboard quotes Michael Lang as saying the talk of cancelation is only "rumors" and an event of this caliber will always draw a large amount of attention.
In addition to the state permits, Schuyler County also needs to issue a mass gathering permit for the festival weekend. An Environmental Quality Review will be conducted before the county makes a determination.