Pandemic postpones Seattle’s Bumbershoot music fest for 2nd yr

The organizers of the annual Bumbershoot Festival form an exploratory committee to examine the event’s success over the years and plan the best future.

SEATTLE – A popular music festival won’t return to the Seattle Center this year.

Bumbershoot organizers said the COVID-19 restrictions will not allow the curtain to rise on the event until at least 2022. As for the event, this seems to be unknown.

In a press release on Friday, the Seattle Center, together with the non-profit organization One Reel, announced the formation of a so-called “Bumbershoot Exploratory Committee”. This team is expected to delve into what made the event so successful over the years. They hope these details will be helpful in planning future events.

The press release states, “The aim is to continue the festival’s legacy as an affordable, multidisciplinary arts event that celebrates regional, national and international arts and entertainment.”

Many business owners in the area have suffered a blow during the pandemic. The news of another year without a bumbershoot isn’t what restaurant owners wanted to hear.

“It will be sad not to have local tourism and not be in touch with customers who may only come now and then,” said Rodney Werthman, manager of Toulouse Petit Kitchen, a popular restaurant in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood.

Werthman, however, understands the move and believes it is for the common good. “I agree with everything they make us do,” said Werthman. “We’re moving slowly. I think that’s probably the right approach.”

The organizers said the newly formed committee will seek public input and feedback to find a “sustainable model” for bumbershoot. They will then present their results to the tour at the Seattle Center.