New England Rock Fest’s third edition feat. Paul Shortino, Tango Down and Enuff Z’Nuff getting postponed
New England Rock Fest’s third edition feat. Paul Shortino, Tango Down and Enuff Z’Nuff getting postponed
Sad news for the people who were planning on attending the third edition of the New England Rock Fest that was supposed to take place at Geraldines Live Music Bar & Grill in Chicopee, Massachusetts, USA on August 14 and 15, 2020 as the event is getting postponed due to restrictions stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year’s edition featured headliners Paul Shortino (Quiet Riot, Rough Cutt, Rough Riot) and Dave Bickler (Survivor) along with Kivel recording artists Tango Down, Wild America, Jamie Rowe, No Love Lost, and many other bands including Enuff Z’Nuff.
The following message was posted on New England Rock Fest‘s Facebook page back on June 19, 2020:
“Hello All
I would like to start off with a thank you. Thank you for helping us throw a helluva party every August the last few years. All of you have helped make this particular weekend of August something extra to look forward to.
Now with that said, I have unfortunate news. New England Rock Fest is going to be postponed. We had remained optimistic, and even confident based on recent announcements by the local state Govt. However, in recent days, there has been some confusing information in regards to the can do’s and do not’s of the openings in regards to venues. Over the last week we have personally been trying to get answers and make sense of the phases. Which again, has been conflicting information. When we saw the Governor say that venues will be pushed back to phase 4, and that in order to open there must be a vaccine. It was decided it is better to err on the side of caution rather than risk having a show that either can’t happen last minute, or a show with a myriad of restrictions, guidelines etc.
For a moment, we thought about moving N.E.R.F to New Hampshire where the LIVE FREE OR DIE state had pretty much zero restrictions and is fully open. With that said, that idea was entertained with a great amount of brevity. See, we have created a HOME for NERF. We enjoy the familiarity and togetherness we have created in a short two years of doing this. From the fabulous venue and its amazing staff. To the beautiful Sheraton Hotel and its gracious and pleasant hosts. Of course, we can’t forget our awesome shuttle crew either! Who chauffeur your spirited (DRUNK) bodies to and from the venue. If this was all about “dollars”, we would move our coat and hat to another hook and proceed as we have in the past. However, we want the family and home environment that we have created to remain intact. Not just for us, but also for you. So, if we must postpone, we will.
N.E.R.F wouldn’t be the same somewhere else, and we are very grateful to the people at the Sheraton to give our staff, attendees, and bands a place to sleep and “after party”. We love Jake, Dick and the entire staff of Geraldine’s (formerly Poor Richards) for putting a stage under our feet and a roof above our heads to Rock N Roll. All of whom are very much a part of why New England Rock Fest is so fantastic. We may not be the biggest event, or even the best event. We are YOUR event, and we are who we are and proud to be our modest .99 store festival. 
We are currently looking at the options of “when” the new date will be, and will announce that ASAP. In the end, as much as we want to throw a party and have a good / fun time. We do want to make sure everyone remains SAFE. So, like it or not, we will comply with what the state sets forth. So, this isn’t goodbye. It’s see you soon.
NOW!! With that said, whoever wants a refund that cannot attend the rescheduled date. We will gladly arrange that with you. All we ask is that you allow us some of your patience and see what the new date is first. We spoke to the hotel this morning, and all reservations will be cancelled for all attendees. However we suggest you do a follow up with the Sheraton on Monday to verify. No cancel fees will be made via the hotel to your card, as they are understanding of the situation.
Thank you again for helping us forge new friendships, make great music and create fond memories.
Any questions, please do not hesitate to inbox us and we will get back to you ASAP.
Sincerely,
John Kivel
NEW ENGLAND ROCK FEST“