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Confusion about the status of the event continues, with organizers telling O&APV the event was ‘on’ and the Deputy Director of Padrón y Licencias of Puerto Vallarta declaring that no event of this nature is allowed.

As the pandemic continues to take its toll on Puerto Vallarta, and many businesses closed and large gatherings prohibited, there has been a controversy on social media regarding the electronic music festival Sunland Summer, announced at the beginning of the year and that, according to their Facebook page, will take place this weekend in Puerto Vallarta. 

Originally scheduled to take place at Mantamar, the event is organized by Jubileo, a company dedicated to the production of LGBT experiences in Mexico and it will presumably feature DJs such as Isis Muretech, Marvin Ayy and Xavier Alvarado. Users on social media have expressed their disapproval, as they consider it is not appropriate and safe to hold this kind of event in the midst of the health contingency that the country is facing.

Out and About PV contacted the office of Padrón y Licencias at the Municipal Administration Unit (UMA by its acronym in Spanish) to question the legitimacy of this event. 

Luis Tello, deputy director, affirmed that he was not aware of this festival taking place and argued that no event of this type and magnitude is allowed or has the authorization to be held in the city. 

“There is no permission for any public and massive event at the moment, even when it takes place outdoors,” he said.

For its part, Mantamar Beach Club, the venue in which this festival would take place, released a statement through its Facebook page, that reads as follows:

“To whom it may concern:

There has been some conversation about Almar Resort, Mantamar Beach Club and Industry Nightclub’s involvement and collaboration with the Sunland Summer event originally planned for this weekend. While our venues have always taken pride in presenting and sponsoring some of the biggest events in Puerto Vallarta such as Beef Dip, H20 Festival, Vallarta Pride, White Party, Vallarta Heat, Sunland and more, we have not officially done so since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March. 

Originally announced in January, we have since canceled all Sundland/Jubileo events at all of our venues planned for this weekend. Any events still possibly taking place this weekend are in no way affiliated with our venues and we have unequivocally zero involvement. Mantamar Beach Club will be open for business as usual adhering to social distancing guidelines set forth by the Health Department and Industry Nightclub continues to remain closed until further notice.”

Through a phone call, Out & About PV could talk to the reception staff at Mantamar, who confirmed the event was canceled. 

But, what is the position of the organizers?

Out & About PV did not get a clear response on that.  When O&APV called the phone line that is published on Jubileo’s Facebook page, organizer David Morales told us the event was confirmed for this weekend but didn’t offer more details. He mentioned that he would call us back to give us more information within the next few minutes but this didn’t happen. We tried to reach him again but got no response.

It seems like the only way to know if the festival will take place or not is to wait and see. However, many questions arise just one day before the event.