The country music festival, Watershed, which has been hosted at The Gorge Amphitheater in George, Wash., for 13 years announced Jan. 23 they are taking a hiatus.

“After 13 incredible years of country music and community at The Gorge, we wanted to be the first to let you know that Watershed will be taking a hiatus in 2026,” the post said.

Some students who attend Washington State University were devastated to hear the news, and some were able to share their sadness, memories and hopes for the future of Watershed.

Students at WSU, such as Reese Roberts and Finley Johnson, shared their confusion and frustration.

“I’m so confused. I really want to know why it got canceled,” Roberts said. “Like, what’s the reasoning? And is it’s only this year that it’s being canceled or is it forever?”

This sentiment was shared by Johnson.

“I’m very upset. I think that it’s really sad because it was a tradition that I only got to go to twice,” Johnson said. “People have been going for so many years and I think it being canceled was really sad, and I’m really sad we can’t go this year.”

According to their website, Watershed has been going on for 13 years, and the average attendance after COVID was over 20,000 people. Many festival fans choose to camp at the Gorge while attending the festival.

WSU student Paige Spratley is among the students upset over the news.

“I’m super sad. It was such a good bonding moment for me and my friends,” Spratley said.

The festival concluded its social media announcement by saying, “Any future plans will be announced accordingly,” and included the hashtag #SheddersForLife.

While many Shedders are confused as to why the festival is canceled, the answer remains unknown and the future for Watershed 2027 remains unpredictable.