Organizers for Woodstock 50 say the anniversary festival will go on.

But, a spokesperson for the event's financial partner says it has been canceled. And, the county where the 2019 Woodstock festival was scheduled to be held is preparing to move on without it on the summer schedule.

"Woodstock 50 vehemently denies the festival's cancellation and legal remedy will (be) sought," read a statement that Woodstock 50 issued Monday afternoon.

Monday night, Woodstock 50 organizers seemed emboldened as they released a new statement that said they would bring in new financial partners and stage a festival that "is going to be a blast."

"We are committed to ensuring that the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock is marked with a festival deserving of its iconic name and place in American history and culture," the statement from Woodstock 50 read. "Although our financial partner is withdrawing, we will of course be continuing with the planning of the festival and intend to bring on new partners. We would like to acknowledge the State of New York and Schuyler County for all of their hard work and support. The bottom line is, there is going to be a Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival, as there must be, and it's going to be a blast.”

Woodstock 50 was scheduled to be held Aug. 16-18 at Watkins Glen International racetrack, in Watkins Glen, Schuyler County. County Administrator Tim O'Hearn said he received email notification of the cancellation from Dentsu Aegis, the event's financial partner.

A statement from Dentsu Aegis Network’s Amplifi Live said:

“It’s a dream for agencies to work with iconic brands and to be associated with meaningful movements. We have a strong history of producing experiences that bring people together around common interests and causes, which is why we chose to be a part of the Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival.

"But despite our tremendous investment of time, effort and commitment, we don’t believe the production of the festival can be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name while also ensuring the health and safety of the artists, partners and attendees. As a result and after careful consideration, Dentsu Aegis Network’s Amplifi Live, a partner of Woodstock 50, has decided to cancel the festival. As difficult as it is, we believe this is the most prudent decision for all parties involved.”

WOODSTOCK: Iconic concerts have history of problems, perseverance

Jay-Z, the Lumineers, Dead and Company, Common, Miley Cyrus and Imagine Dragons were scheduled to perform at Woodstock 50.

O'Hearn said state and local officials were planning the event for months. There was no prior indication of any problems, and cancellation of the event is a big disappointment, he said.

"It’s a surprise, no question about that, and we’re certainly disappointed and have to respect their decision, but this is a huge economic loss for the county," O'Hearn said. "We hope we can salvage something from it as we move forward.

"There has been substantial planning from both the state and county, as well as the town (of Dix) and Village of Watkins Glen for months now," he said. "The state in particular has deployed tremendous resources to assist with planning efforts, geared toward a safe and responsible event."

Watkins Glen International racetrack had no comment.

According to Chris Banker, Watkins Glen International director of public relations, the track had been working with organizers for two years and they expected the event could have an economic impact of $30 to $50 million.

Considered the crowning achievement of the 1960s counterculture, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair Aug. 15-18, 1969 attracted hundreds of thousands of people to Bethel in Sullivan County. Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Richie Havens and Janis Joplin were among the performers at the festival, which took place against the backdrop of 1960s turmoil.

Woodstock 50 is being produced under license from Woodstock Ventures, which was founded by Ulster County resident Michael Lang, Joel Rosenman and the late John Roberts. Those three, along with Artie Kornfeld, produced the 1969 Woodstock festival. Kornfeld rejoined the team for Woodstock 50.

Troubles rumored

News that Woodstock 50 is possibly canceled is the latest obstacle to emerge in Lang's plans to mark the golden anniversary of perhaps the most famous concert ever.

Late on April 19, multiple media outlets, including Billboard and Variety, reported an email alerted agents representing acts scheduled to play the festival that ticket sales had been postponed. In a response to a Billboard article asserting there were fears that the postponement was indicative of a larger problem with the event, Lang told Billboard it was simply “rumors.”

Lang's statement came in advance of the date upon which tickets were scheduled to go on sale, April 22. On April 20, Woodstock 50 said tickets would be going on sale "soon" rather than on April 22.

On April 21, O'Hearn said the state Department of Health was reviewing Woodstock 50's permit application, which he said was submitted April 15. The state must issue a temporary permit for events before ticket sales can begin, he said. That permit application was still pending on Friday, April 26.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health said the "cancellation announcement is not a result of the permit application pending with the department.

“From the beginning planning stages, the New York State Department of Health has worked closely and collaboratively with all parties involved in Woodstock 50 to assure a safe and successful event," read a statement issued by a spokesman for the state Department of Health. "The department was surprised to learn of today’s decision to cancel the event.”

Bethel Woods Music and Culture Festival at original site also was called off

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, on the original Woodstock site in Sullivan County, ran into its own problems staging a 50th anniversary festival.

The Bethel Woods Music and Culture Festival was scheduled for the anniversary weekend, Aug. 16-18, then dropped without explanation. Bethel Woods later said it was due in part to the site's wish to keep its museum accessible to all on the anniversary weekend, not just festivalgoers.

After signing on, INVNT, a branding and live storytelling agency working with Bethel Woods on the festival, announced in February that it would not be producing it after all.

Bethel Woods has since announced a slate of events for the weekend:

► Original Woodstock performer Arlo Guthrie will play a free show at Bethel Woods on Aug. 15, prior to a screening of the 1970 Woodstock documentary. Reservations for these two free events have all been filed.

► Ringo Starr will perform at its pavilion on Aug. 16. Joining him will be original Woodstock acts Edgar Winter and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

► Original Woodstock performer Carlos Santana, joined by the Doobie Brothers, will play the site on Aug. 17.

► John Fogerty will perform in the pavilion on Aug. 18.

Santana and Fogerty played the 1969 Woodstock concert, and were both scheduled to perform at Woodstock 50.

The USA Today Network contributed to this report. John W. Barry: jobarry@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4822, Twitter: @JohnBarryPoJo