Woodstock 50 organizers have now turned their aim to Maryland. Documents obtained by Bloomberg include word the plan is now to hold the event at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland August 16 – 18.

Merriweather Post Pavilion has a capacity of 19,319 as per Wikipedia, a far cry from the six-figure capacity co-organizer Michael Lang discussed when the event was slated to be held at Watkins Glen International race track.


“When we heard that there was an opportunity to save this festival and bring a piece of American history to our community this summer, we jumped at the chance,” wrote Calvin Ball, an executive with Howard County, to Woodstock 50 co-organizer Greg Peck in a note obtained by Bloomberg. “Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia is a jewel of Howard County and one of the top music venues in the nation. It felt like such a natural fit to host a historic festival on our storied stage.”

Among the challenges facing Woodstock 50 organizers besides the smaller size of the venue is whether artists featured on the lineup will still participate and a Smashing Pumpkins concert slated to take place at Merriweather Post Pavilion on August 17. Bloomberg’s report indicates the event “is now being pitched as a fundraiser for nonprofits devoted to voter turnout and climate change” such as HeadCount and ticket prices will run $129 – $595 per day.

Dead & Company, Jay-Z and The Raconteurs were among the acts listed on the lineup in a March announcement. The event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the original Woodstock, which took place in Bethel, New York August 15 – 18, 1969 featuring The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, The Grateful Dead, The Band, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane and more.