Woodstock 50 is looking for a new venue, and the Mohawk Valley may land the festival for a second time.
A spokesperson for Vernon Downs says the race track is in early discussions with promoters. Vernon Downs has had other big concerts, hosting Bruce Springsteen a couple of years ago.
Woodstock 50 is looking for a location after reportedly failing to make payments to Watkins Glen International.
Rome's Griffiss Air Force Base hosted the 30th anniversary of Woodstock in 1999.
There doesn't seem to be a clear consensus yet on whether people want Woodstock 50 to take place at Vernon Downs. Some see the economic benefit.
"I definitely think it would boost the economy, the restaurants, hotels locally because I know they're not going to allow people to camp at Vernon [Downs]. So there's gonna be people looking for places to stay, places to eat," said Village of Vernon Mayor Joseph D'Agostino.
A lot has changed since Woodstock was last held in the Mohawk Valley at former Griffiss Air Force Base. This location is different, and there are also new factors to consider.
"Security details at mass gatherings are totally different from what they were like I said a couple decades ago just because of technology," said Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol. "Technology certainly has helped us with our job, but it's also caused major hurdles for us because technology in the hands of the wrong people could be detrimental to the safety of people at a mass gathering like that."
The Oneida County Sheriff says he's not taking a stance yet on whether or not he does want the event here at Vernon Downs, but he does have concerns.
"It's not the event that I have the concern with. It's any event where you're drawing in 65,000 people so again, not only at that event, but parking, traffic, need to, if there was like an emergency where you've got to get people out of there. There's got to be evacuation plans," Maciol said.
There isn't a lot of time for law enforcement to plan for this huge event, but the nearby Village of Vernon's mayor has confidence in law enforcement if Woodstock 50 were to happen at the venue.
"It might be an inconvenience for residents for a few days, but law enforcement in Central New York is very good at handling this stuff, and Vernon hosts these events over the years so I'm confident if they do do it they'll be able to do a good job," D'Agostino said.
This year's celebration is scheduled for August 16th-18th. Some political and law enforcement leaders said it was too premature to comment.