"We want FLAAC to have enough time to put on the best event possible — one that is worthy of the fond memories the people of San Diego County have of KAABOO," said Carlene Moore, CEO of the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which oversees the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds property. "We look forward to having KAABOO return home to our cherished community gathering place in September 2025."
In 2021, we reported that San Diego's KAABOO music and cultural festival was mired in debt and litigation, which resulted in industry-wide speculation that the event was done for good. As reported thoroughly by Billboard Magazine, the 2019 KAABOO festival came a hair away from cancellation in Del Mar before a last-minute purchase from former KAABOO partner and executive Jason Felts through his new company, Richard Branson-backed Virgin Fest LLC, which allegedly occurred just one day before the 5th annual event was scheduled to take place.
Following the purchase, KAABOO founders Bryan Gordon and Seth Wolkov sued Virgin Fest LLC in the Superior Court for New Castly County in the state of Delaware, accusing Felts of "pursuing a Trojan Horse strategy" to "infiltrate KAABOO" "and take possession of its most valuable assets," according to court filings. Felts and Virgin Fest countersued, claiming KAABOO's financial statements had been misconstrued by Gordon. Gordon was also sued in 2019 by Molly Kingston, his former wife, who alleged he had misappropriated $22 million from the couple's accounts to fund the festival. Gordon faced several additional lawsuits related to KAABOO.
On the final day of the 2019 event, KAABOO officials surprised San Diego (and the management team behind Del Mar Fairgrounds & Race Track) by reporting that they had reached a multi-year agreement with the San Diego Padres to host the three-day annual festival at its new home at Petco Park in downtown San Diego from September 18-20, 2020. This resulted in the Del Mar Fairgrounds announcing it was considering legal action against KAABOO for violating terms of their contract. Upon announcing the new venue for 2020, KAABOO pre-sold early-bird tickets for the ultimately-cancelled 2020 event. It has been reported that many ticket purchasers have still not received a refund or explanation.
Following the purchase, KAABOO founders Bryan Gordon and Seth Wolkov sued Virgin Fest LLC in the Superior Court for New Castly County in the state of Delaware, accusing Felts of "pursuing a Trojan Horse strategy" to "infiltrate KAABOO" "and take possession of its most valuable assets," according to court filings. Felts and Virgin Fest countersued, claiming KAABOO's financial statements had been misconstrued by Gordon. Gordon was also sued in 2019 by Molly Kingston, his former wife, who alleged he had misappropriated $22 million from the couple's accounts to fund the festival. Gordon faced several additional lawsuits related to KAABOO.
On the final day of the 2019 event, KAABOO officials surprised San Diego (and the management team behind Del Mar Fairgrounds & Race Track) by reporting that they had reached a multi-year agreement with the San Diego Padres to host the three-day annual festival at its new home at Petco Park in downtown San Diego from September 18-20, 2020. This resulted in the Del Mar Fairgrounds announcing it was considering legal action against KAABOO for violating terms of their contract. Upon announcing the new venue for 2020, KAABOO pre-sold early-bird tickets for the ultimately-cancelled 2020 event. It has been reported that many ticket purchasers have still not received a refund or explanation.
KAABOO was then sued by the Padres in 2022 for trying to return to Del Mar Fairground, but that case has allegedly been settled. Earlier this year, the City of Solana Beach filed a lawsuit against the Del Mar Fairgrounds to halt the return of KAABOO music festival, but there has also been a settlement of this case, paving the way for a return to San Diego.
KAABOO is now owned by Festival Licensing and Acquisition Corporation (FLAAC), which is led by Mark Terry, Carl Monzo III and Cal State San Marcos alumni Chris Racan, who has been with KAABOO from the beginning. There has been no indication whether the KAABOO revival will refund the 1,500-2,000 ticket holders who are still owed an estimated $500,000 in ticket refunds from the cancelled 2020 event.
The Del Mar Fairgrounds last played host to the KAABOO festival in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival featured food, art, comedy, and more. KAABOO's five years at the Del Mar Fairgrounds featured headliners such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Aerosmith, Jimmy Buffet, Hall & Oates, Grouplove, Dana Carvey, Bob Saget, Wayne Brady, Pink, Kings of Leon, and Imagine Dragons.
"Producing a music festival is already a tremendous undertaking - one we are familiar with - on an ordinary timeline," read a statement issued by FLAAC representatives. "But we want to do more than just put on a music festival; This is KAABOO, a festival known for its quality experience, high-caliber acts, and fun atmosphere. With this additional time, we are confident that we can put together a memorable KAABOO that our guests will love. We look forward to making lineup announcements in the months ahead."
"Producing a music festival is already a tremendous undertaking - one we are familiar with - on an ordinary timeline," read a statement issued by FLAAC representatives. "But we want to do more than just put on a music festival; This is KAABOO, a festival known for its quality experience, high-caliber acts, and fun atmosphere. With this additional time, we are confident that we can put together a memorable KAABOO that our guests will love. We look forward to making lineup announcements in the months ahead."
For more information about KAABOO, visit kaaboosd.com.
