Windy City Smokeout postponed to 2021 due to coronavirus

Tickets for the 2020 country music and barbecue festival will be honored next year.

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Attendees of the 2015 Windy City Smokeout enjoy barbecued ribs, baked beans and craft beer from local brewers such as Goose Island Co. | Jeff Marini photo

Sun-Times Media

The smokeout’s been snuffed out, thanks to COVID-19.

The Windy City Smokeout is officially postponed until 2021, according to a statement on the festival organization’s website.

The outdoor country music and barbecue festival has been pushed back to July 9-11, 2021, the statement said. Headliners Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley and Jon Pardi are still slated to play at the 2021 festival.

“We love nothing more than enjoying a weekend of country music & BBQ with you, but the health and safety of you, our beloved artists, pitmasters & employees has always been our top priority,” the statement said. ”While this decision wasn’t easy, it is necessary to keep everyone safe.”

Tickets and festival passes already purchased will be honored at the 2021 festival with additional perks, the statement said. General admission tickets will receive a $10 per day food-and-beverage credit for single-day and three-day tickets. All VIP holders will receive a $30 per day credit for single-day tickets and a $100 credit on three-day tickets.

If they prefer, however, ticket holders can request a refund until June 17, the statement said. For every pass kept, the festival organizers will make a donation to Feed Chicago.

Want to see what other summer festivals have been postponed or canceled? Check out our list here.

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