ASHLAND, Ky. — Ashland’s annual music and arts festival Summer Motion has been postponed until 2021.

The committee that puts on the event made the announcement on Monday morning via Facebook.

“Not having the festival this summer seemed to be the only prudent option as everyone wrestles with the deadly pandemic,” the committee said, adding government officials are discouraging large gatherings of crowds, that the coronavirus continues to have unknown impacts and that they were concerned about having first responders at a special event rather than dealing with the current situation.

“It is with much sadness that we postpone the festival for a year because of the light it shines and joy it brings to Ashland during the Fourth of July holidays,” the committee wrote. “We are always thinking about the community and that continues with this decision.”

Summer Motion brings tens of thousands of people for the multi-day event, with up to 40,000 people for well-known touring musicians like Ronnie Milsap last year.

The committee said that they understood the impact the coronavirus has had on the area’s business community and that sponsors had the option of getting their donations back.

“The committee understands the economic punch the coronavirus has brought to our communities and wants to be fiscally responsible in relation to donation funding from sponsors,” they wrote. “They can have it returned for their own needs or to donate to those in greatest need from the coronavirus emergency or, if they choose, it can be used for the 2021 Summer Motion festival.”

The Summer Motion committee said it would be meeting soon to begin plans for “the best and biggest festival possible in 2021. We look forward to seeing the Ashland River Port full of life, fun and music next summer.”

The event features a wide range of events including musicians and  bands, food vendors, art in the park, inflatables and cruise-ins and ends with a fireworks.

display on the Fourth of July.