Siletz Bay Music Festival opens Sept. 4 at the LCCC. The board of directors of the festival have issued the following safety update:

“No one thought that having a live festival in the midst of a pandemic was going to be easy but the board and organizers of Siletz Bay Music Festival did think that the worst would be over by now. But no. Things continue to change and the board is rolling with the punches. At the request of the orchestra musicians and many housing hosts, plus concerns expressed by ticket buyers, in August the board instituted a policy requiring masks at all events (even before it was mandated by the governor), and proof of vaccination for all festival participants who are eligible. Within four days of notifying the musicians, the festival received proof and an enthusiastic response from 100% of them.”

“From the beginning the board said that safety — of the musicians, audience and volunteers – was its primary concern. Science and the recent spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant left it no choice. No one will be admitted to concert venues without prior clearance or their proof in hand. To avoid delays at the door ticketholders are asked to text their name and a picture of their vaccination card to 541-819-0593, a dedicated number established solely for this purpose. Or email it to sbmf.vaccine@gmail.com a dedicated email address established solely for this purpose.”

“If ticket holders no longer wish to attend the festival because of this policy or fear of COVID they can leave a message at 541-264-5828 and their ticket money will be cheerfully refunded.”

“The board and the festival have come so far and jumped so many hurdles in the last 18 months, there is just this last one before everyone can be together for 9 glorious days of live music.”

Co-Chair Sue Parks-Hilden stated: “We are grateful to our musicians, our audience, our sponsors, our grantors and our advertisers for believing in this festival and supporting us at every turn. Thank you.”

For tickets and other festival information, head to www.siletzbaymusic.org