NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — No acts, times or sponsors are listed on the attraction's website, but organizers say the Comstock Music Festivals are a go anyway.
According to a posting on the website by Glenn Zacek, CMF general manager, the country festival is scheduled for May 31-June 3, and the rock festival is planned for July 12-15.
But the news has former fans skeptical.
"I'll believe it when I see it," said Judy Most of Seneca, Neb.
She and her husband, Gordon, are still waiting for ticket refunds for last year's concerts. Two weeks before the country festival was supposed to happen in June, organizers announced that it would be pushed back to August because of funding problems.
Both it and the rock festival were eventually canceled, but not before tickets had been sold. In May, people who purchased tickets were promised full refunds starting June 24. Many are still waiting.
"This is the second time we have bought tickets and not gotten a refund," said Most. "I've been in contact with the lady who sold them to us every month for the last three or four months, and there's always an excuse. I might consider going back to Comstock if I got a refund, but this ordeal has soured me."
Customers have been forced to turn to a social networking site for updates.
A Nov. 7 posting on the CMF Facebook page reads, "Refunds . We finally received word from legal counsel that we will be fully funded by Dec. 20. Thank God. It does not mean that it will take that long, it simply means by that time. As soon as money lands in hand we will begin refunds ... I promise."
A Dec. 20 posting reads, "Updates on refunds: We're close. Hang in there."
On Dec. 29, Zacek issued another statement on the website and begged fans for forgiveness.
"We really have no excuses other than the obvious," he said. "Every time we have posted a date for refunds it has extended past that date, and we sincerely apologize to each one of you. Not one of us are taking this situation lightly, and it is a big stress factor for all involved."
Zacek promised to notify customers on the website and Facebook as soon as refunds become available. He said not only would ticket buyers receive a check from CMF, but they would also be given a two-for-one voucher for coming shows and a T-shirt.
Maggie DaMoude of Hershey said vouchers and a T-shirt don't make up for the delay in refunds.
"Who knows, it might not be a weekend we could go now," she said. "Our money should have been given back a long time ago, and Zacek should have had his ducks in a row before he offered the tickets. We thoroughly enjoyed Comstock, but this has left a bad taste in our mouths."
Zacek was contacted by the North Platte Telegraph but declined to comment.
As for this year's concerts, polls are up asking people to submit their picks for the artists they'd like to see.
The country act choices are: Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton and Lady Antebellum. The rock bands are: Three Days Grace, Nickelback, 3 Doors Down and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
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