COVID-19 has led many local festivals to give up entirely on 2020, but the CGI International Jazz Festival isn't closing the door just yet.

"There's no smoke and mirrors here. It's more of being hopeful and planning," said Marc Iacona, Jazz Festival co-producer.

This year's Jazz Fest has been pushed back to October 2-10.

Iacona says the new dates are more about being ready than a certainty.

"Many of the people and the individuals that we program in our Jazz Festival are not knowing what's going on in the next 18 months so that glimmer of hope in that planning that we have is encouraging to them," Iacona explained.

It also offers provides hope to Mike O’Leary, who owns Temple Bar and Grille in downtown Rochester.

"I wouldn't say we're doing great with take-out but it's enough to keep my staff going and that's important," said O’Leary.

O’Leary says the Jazz Fest brings a lot of people to his restaurant.

"It's a big part of this neighborhood, let’s just hope and pray that the weather cooperates, the virus is mitigated by then. That will be a big help to this area," O’Leary explained.

Michele Yancey who runs "The Meatball Company" food truck is also excited for the possibility of still having the festival.

"We have watched our season disintegrate right in front of our eyes. Jazz Fest is our number one revenue generator; to think that we would have lost it would have been tragic," said Yancey.

While Iacona is hopeful the festival can move forward, there is a chance it could be postponed again.

"I just value the support that we've gotten from sponsors the community and a lot of the organizations that have supported us, and I gotta stay focused on being positive," said Iacona.

If Jazz Fest is able to proceed with their plans, it will follow all guidelines specified by health and government officials. 

They also plan to provide attendees with masks and hand sanitizer.

Due to artist and venue availability, four headliners were unable to rescheduled.

Those headliners are Nile Rodgers and CHIC, Wynonna and the Big Noise, Trombone Shorty and Garth Fagan Dance and Monty Alexander.

If you have tickets for one of the canceled headliners, festival organizers will be contacting you in an email to discuss refund options.

To read more about what organizers had to say about postponing this year's festival click here.