FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) — Three Rivers Festival has been cancelled for 2025.
Amid financial challenges and an unsuccessful crowdfunding campaign, the annual event announced it will instead begin bankruptcy proceedings.
“The recent years’ losses coupled with the current economic climate has made it impossible for the Three Rivers Festival to operate,” Sara Roach, president of TRF’s Board of Directors, said in a statement.
TRF began the crowdfunding campaign on Feb. 1 in an attempt to save the festival. The organization aimed to raise $300,000 by Feb. 10 in order to achieve financial sustainability.
Additionally, TRF announced they would need another $150,000 in order to plan and execute the festival for 2025.
A total of $1,250 was donated to the campaign, less than 0.5% of the organization’s goal.
In December, letters between Roach and Deputy Mayor Karl Bandemer detailed TRF’s financial struggles and location concerns.
According to the letters, Roach explained revitalization efforts in downtown Fort Wayne hindered TRF’s planning and infrastructure access, ultimately hurting the event financially.
The letters also showed the organization was nearly $40,000 in debt to the City of Fort Wayne for 2024’s festival.
“The on-going revitalization projects downtown have been a positive element for the overall development of our great city. However, they have also curtailed our ability to use essential outdoor locations for our festivals,” Roach said in a statement.
Roach also pointed to a national trend affecting festivals. She expressed that community support for saving TRF was positive but was still not enough financially.
“Festivals locally as well as around the country have either scaled back or shut down completely. We know we are not alone in our struggles. Over the past several months we have talked with several community members and interested stakeholders. The response has been undeniably positive in continuing the festival,” Roach said in a statement. “But the financial support just isn’t there.”
This year would have marked the 56th anniversary of TRF.
“The sad result is that we feel the festival, while beloved and nostalgic, has run its course and will now become part of the history of northeast Indiana that we have celebrated for 55 years,” Roach said in a statement.
TRF’s board also expressed appreciation for the community support over the years.
FOX 55’s Troyce Grant will explore the local impact of TRF’s cancellation tonight at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 10 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.
