Gathering of the Vibes Music Festival Will Not Return in 2017

BRIDGEPORT, CT — For a second straight summer, the Gathering of the Vibes music festival will not be held at Bridgeport's Seaside Park.

The festival's organizers announced the move on the event's Facebook page Tuesday, citing a "rapidly evolving" music festival landscape. However, the organizers further described a few "well-run, family-friendly festivals" offering members of the Vibes community discounted tickets.

Launched in 1996, the festival had been held in various locations in New York until its first appearance in Brideport in 1999 and 2000. After another New York hiatus due to construction at Seaside Park, the festival returned to Bridgeport in 2007.

The musically-diverse event has featured acts ranging from Grateful Dead alumni Bob Weir to hip-hop icon Nas, as well as Elvis Costello and James Brown. After its 20th festival in 2015, the organizers announced that they would be taking the 2016 summer off, but were hopeful to return in 2017 according to the Ridgefield Press.

That became more challenging after the city filed suit against the festival, saying the festival owed the city at least $500,000, according to WSHU Public Radio.

In its Facebook page, the organizers thanked their fans for the support, and reminded fans that there would be more events to come.

"With much love, humility and appreciation for your part in making the Vibes such an amazing experience over all these many years," The statement read." To be continued my friends, Ken and the Vibes family."

Image by Matt Tillett - https://www.flickr.com/photos/mattyfioner/2743359968/in/photolist-7tG6Gp-7tG6wt-5bqsm3-5bqrkN-5bm93X, CC BY 2.0, Link