The organisers of the Spring Classic have announced that the festival will sadly not return to Woolacombe in 2024.
Originating in May 2022 to bring “ocean minded escapism” to 5000 attendees, the Spring Classic established itself as a celebration of surfing, music and good times on the most special of locations overlooking Woolacombe bay in the heart of the North Devon World Surfing Reserve.
The organisers have said “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we must announce that Spring Classic 2024 is cancelled. We have tried everything to avoid this outcome but have been unable to find a solution – to say we are devastated is an understatement. We have poured our hearts, souls and personal finances into the event. The pressure of trying to deliver an independent festival which the local area could be proud of has been something we have tried our best to deliver on.
“From our perspective, the festival was as good as it could be despite having a number of things against us, namely the cost of living crisis, ongoing effects of covid and brexit, increased supplier and artists costs, broader macroeconomic situation, and local challenges. But, over the last few months of hard work planning our return this summer it has become clear that the costs of running the event have continued to increase dramatically since our launch and a combination of all these factors make it unviable to deliver the Spring Classic to the standard you have all come to expect.”
The Spring Classic festival proved very popular amongst locals as well as attracting people to travel from far and wide and enjoy what became known as a weekend of adventures by the coast at the start of the summer season.
“As a parish council we were initially wary of having a festival in our parish, but after two years of operating the event won everyone over. It was well run, environmentally focussed and offered a great source of entertainment to the village, as well as attracting some fantastic visitors. We are all very sad to hear that it will no longer be able to continue” said Kevin Cook, Chairman of Mortehoe parish council.
So whilst long evenings and amazing sunsets will soon return, unfortunately the Spring Classic will not. Organisers are in contact with all ticket holders directly with their options, and all Spring Classic ticket holders have been given the option to transfer their ticket to Rock Oyster which runs in North Cornwall on 25th - 28th July, and includes acts such as The Human League, Sugababes, Bombay Bicycle Club, CMAT, Norman Jay MBE, Arrested Development and Gentleman’s Dub Club as well as chefs Nathan Outlaw, Matt Tebbutt, Tom Brown, Emily Scott, Jack Stein and Thuy Diem Pham.
The organisers would like to thank all those that made the Spring Classic the special event that it was.
