Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest postponed its 2021 event to 2022 due to COVID-19 pandemic. The festival which was scheduled to take place August 27 – 29, 2021 will now take place June 3 – 5, 2022 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, New Jersey.
Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest was previously postponed in Summer 2020 and again in early 2021. While there’s no word on artists for the rescheduled event, Tab Benoit, Samantha Fish, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and more were set to perform at the 2021 event.
Michael Arnone shared a statement regarding the postponement on social media. Read it below:
Hi All
2 weeks ago I was full of hope. I just knew it was going to be the biggest fest ever.
The Covid Delta Varient is trending upwards around the country. The CDC has recently issued new guidelines.The CDC says vaccinated people should get tested if exposed even with no symptons.
We know people will be exposed at the Crawfish Fest.NJ has a high vaccination rate, but that does not help us as we draw from all over the country. We have over 100 band members coming in from Louisiana where our vaccination rate is hovering around 35%.
The CDC stated people with weakened immunity should wear a mask. Our dance hall is indoors and our pavilion stage is covered, semi- indoors with people dancing and touching.
The CDC stated vaccinated people who are infected by Delta may carry a large amount of the virus and transmit it to others. We know there may be unvaccinated folks there.
The CDC is advising people to wear a mask indoors following exposure for 14 days or until a negative test. The CDC further states you should isolate for 10 days if your test is positive.
The CDC advises distancing outside. I just don’t see that happening with our 3 day festival with people being so close. A paint line is not going to protect people. On a hot day in August, sweaty masks most likely will be coming off. It will be near impossible to keep people masked and at a safe distance.
I did not come to this decision lightly. This is my livelihood. My number one rule has always been “no one gets hurt.
See you June 3-5, 2022.
I just don’t see any other way.
Thanks so much
Michael
