Organizers for the Newport Folk and Jazz festivals and Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo have announced that the annual festivals will not occur in 2020 due to the coronavirus."As devastating as it is to write these words, it’s balanced with a renewed sense of, well, HOPE,” said the festival's executive producer Jay Sweet. "It’s Rhode Island’s motto for good reason, and it’s also the feeling our festival family, constantly exudes when we come together in good times and perhaps more importantly, in difficult times as well.
This community is truly unlike any other in music, and I believe we can emerge from this adversity stronger and more connected than ever before."This year's Newport Folk Festival was set to take place July 31 to Aug.