North Berwick’s annual August festival Fringe By The Sea is the latest Scottish arts event to be cancelled in the light of COVID-19 restrictions. In a statement released yesterday, Jackie Shuttleworth, General Manager of Fringe By The Sea said:
“We are sad to announce that the 13th Fringe by the Sea will be unable to take place in August 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in.
“The First Minister’s indications are that events will be unable to take place for some months and we therefore we feel we have no choice but to postpone this year’s festival. The health and safety of all those involved in the event is, as always, our top priority.
“The good news is that we have been working with the acts announced so far with the aim of rescheduling their performances for next year’s Fringe by the Sea, which will take place between August 6th and 15th 2021.”
Tickets purchased for events at this year’s Fringe By The Sea will automatically be valid for the 2021 festival. Ticket holders will receive an email from the festival’s ticketing partner Citizen Ticket with details of the new date of each event in 2021. The majority of dates are already confirmed, but the festival ask that audiences bear with them as they finalise details for each act.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to each and every one of our ticket buyers,” continues the statement, “as well as our sponsors, partners, volunteers, performers and Friends of Fringe by the Sea for your continued support of our not-for-profit festival, which means so much to so many in our community. We look forward to seeing you all next year in North Berwick, and making Fringe By The Sea 2021 the best yet!”