After the last two editions were cancelled by COVID-19, the President of the Rockin’ River Music Fest is hoping to see the festival return in 2022.

Speaking on NL Newsday, Kenny Hess, says organizers decided to postpone announcing the lineup until next year, given the damage to the festival site and to the community of Merritt as a whole.

“We were fully planning on an announcement a couple of weeks ago but then of course with the recent developments with the floods and everything, we feel that it is in real poor taste for us to be promoting the festival right now,” he said. “We fully plan on announcing as soon as the time is appropriate.”

“We have got the acts that we want. We are very excited about it. I believe it is the best lineup and I say that every year but I believe it every year and I stand by my words to date. I think every year has gotten better.”

Hess says he is grateful for all of the support that the Rockin’ River festival has gotten over the past two years.

“I just want to thank all of the country music fans out there and all of the festival fans period for how they have stayed in touch with us and let us know that ‘yes, we want you back’ because you know there are a lot of festivals that have gone under,” he said.

“The partnership group has stepped up and said, ‘no, let us take it on the chin and whatever we need to go, let us keep working.'”

Hess also told NL News that the festival organizers are planning to host a fire and flood relief benefit concert, called ‘Hell and High Water’ in the new year.

All of the proceeds from this benefit concert will go to the Rotary Club in Merritt.

“They are a wonderful group of people who really get out and work hard to raise funds for all kinds of different things,” he said. “All of the money, 100 per cent, goes directly to those who need it. There is no administration fees. There is no red tape at all.”

“Right now we are just debating on whether we do it all country or whether we do it multi-genre,” Hess added. “I know that multi-genre would really bring in a lot more radio exposure and that. We’re taking a look at all of our options.”