Coronavirus: Will El Paso's Neon Desert Music Festival Go On?

After the abrupt cancellation of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo days after it was already underway, the cancellation of Austin's hugely popular South by Southwest last week, and the daily announcement of festivals, concerts, and events being called off or postponed due to coronavirus concerns, one has to wonder whether the Neon Desert Music Festival will also be affected.

So, in the face of what is now being called a pandemic will El Paso’s biggest Memorial Day weekend party go on?

I have reached out to the festival promoters repeatedly via their website as well as all of its social media platforms to find out what the current status is, if the festival is in danger of being postponed, moved to a later date, or altogether cancelled, but have not received a response.

With an average attendance of 20,000 people per day, the event is considered a big regional attraction. Visitors from other parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and as far away as California attend, as well as tens of thousands of locals.

Any other year that’s a good thing. But this year, with a virus that spreads by proximity, the interest of public health needs to be weighed against the economic impact and positive press a festival of this size brings our city.

Will it go on? They're certainly not telling me. The more important question is should it go on?