For the last two years, the Longmont Downtown Development Authority, or LDDA, has put its annual Winter Walkabout Music Showcase, or WWMS, — a multi-venue indoor music festival — in an effort to keep patrons safe from the COVID-19 virus. Once again the pandemic has changed the LDDA's plans but this time not for good.
The last in-person Winter Walkabout took place in Feb. 2020. This event and the year prior were sold out and many were looking for a full return in the following years. Concerns about the pandemic wiped away the LDDA's ability to plan the event which made the promise of its return all the more sweeter.
LDDA organized more than 30 performances by more than 100 musicians all to perform within walking distance throughout the downtown area. The event was set and ready to take place on Feb. 4, however the virus once again thwarted plans. The event has not been canceled this year, but it has been postponed to April 9.
“As the Omicron variant became more prevalent and cases started to rise so rapidly, we began to have conversations about what was the most responsible way to proceed. It was decided the best course was to postpone until April. We’re disappointed to have to wait even longer but are hopeful that waiting until April will make it a better experience for all.” said Colin Argys, Marketing Specialist for the Longmont Downtown Development Authority and one of the event’s organizers.
The performances promised have been rescheduled and patrons can see their favorite bands from 2-9:30 p.m. on April 9. Performances have been staggered throughout the time frame so festival-goers have an opportunity to visit as many shows as possible, according to a news release from the LDDA.
Proof of vaccination will be required to enter the show and it expects the Boulder County indoor mask mandate to still be in place for the rescheduled event. Vaccine verification will be taken at the will-call ticket pickup location on the day of the event, according to the news release. Patrons will receive a wristband indicating they have presented vaccine verification in addition to their ticket.
“The indoor mask mandate required us to think through how to proceed with live indoor music performances. Wearing a mask while singing isn’t a realistic option, and many of the WWMS venues don’t have adequate space for the required 12 feet of distance between unmasked performers and other non-household members. The Vaccine Verified event requirement allows performers to be unmasked on stage. We know that requiring vaccines will be a disappointment to some Walkabout fans and supporters. But we wanted to hold the Walkabout in some fashion this year by whatever means we could. We hope that in 2023 we can return to no health restrictions for performers and attendees,” Argys elaborated.
Tickets are now on sale starting at $25 and will gradually increase up to the day of the event when they will cost $35.
