Developing: Organizers say Axis Mundi Festival will not return for 2016

In an announcement to their Facebook page and website on Jan. 25, Axis Mundi organizers announced they were pulling the plug on the festival after the first year.

“Axis Mundi won’t be continuing for 2016. Our September event was victim to some pretty foul weather, which had a significant impact on the bottom line. We have been seeking additional funding to move forward, but it has become apparent we won’t be able to meet our needs,” they wrote in a statement.

Ashley MacIssac performed a storming set at Revelation Lodge on Sunday night. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

The festival was the result of a multi-year push by the Revelstoke Arts Council and tourism funding agencies. They held their first festival in September, 2015. It fell victim to steady, heavy rain. The rain forced the finale indoors after the outdoor stage at mid-mountain at Revelstoke Mountain Resort was flooded with water.

The festival had planned their spring offering in a few months.

In a statement, organizers thanked the organizations that helped host the event.

“We would like to take a moment to thank some incredibly amazing people, businesses and organizations that assisted with Axis Mundi Harvest,” they stated.

The Adventure Market on Mackenzie Avenue. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

The festival was conceived as a way to draw visitors to Revelstoke during the slower shoulder season, and organizer Hugo Rampen, formerly of the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival, was tapped as the coordinator of the event.

He attracted noted talent such as Walk Off the Earth and Ashley MacIsaac.

For more on the series, see the Revelstoke Mountaineer’s dedicated page on the festival.