What was anticipated to be a major summer music festival has become a bizarre disappearing act, now the local venue is saying it’s not to blame.

On Tuesday Karoondinha Music and Arts Festival seemed to vanish online.

All of its accounts shut down, and its website wiped clean, left with nothing but a single paragraph announcing its scheduled dates for July 20-23 are canceled.

The plan was to host the event at Penn’s Cave in Centre Hall.

A family connection helped organizers, Paul and Kaleena Rallis, secure the spot.

But Russ Schleiden, CEO of Penn’s Cave said regardless of affiliation it was a business deal. 

“Penn’s Cave was simply the lessor of the property to Hawk Eye producers.They had their own team, they had their own show, we weren’t responsible for contracts or anything else. And that’s a fact,” Schleiden said.

He added that they were going to collect rent money once the festival wrapped up.

He said beforehand time and money was spent manicuring the land, and revamping about 40 acres for the event.

Festival organizers said they’ve found it “necessary to reschedule,” but have yet to disclose a reason.

Schleiden said he was aware that they were struggling with ticket sales.

Ultimately, he said it’s not his project to focus on,

He’s concerned people have intertwined the festival with Penn’s Cave as one, and wants to stress that the two are separate entities.

“It’s very difficult because there is emotion involved….we’re just as disappointed as anybody else,” Schleiden said.

Festival organizers hint at potentially reviving the event, but Schleiden said he’s not sure if Penn’s Cave would be the best venue if that is the case.

WTAJ has reached out to organizers for Karoondinha about what’s next for ticket holders. 

They have not given us a response back, but Penn’s Cave said the venue is not responsible for any refunds.