WOODSTOCK: THE DOWNS ARE OUT

The beleaguered Woodstock 50 has received another big setback. After losing its original venue at the Watkins Glen racetrack, the fest applied to get a permit at Vernon Downs near Utica. But now comes word (as reported by Variety) that this permit has been denied by the town of Vernon.

Multiple sources confirm that Woodstock has five days to appeal to the town planning board, but nobody appears to be laying down big bets on a reversal, especially given the ridiculously tight timeline for a proposed August event. Variety reports that during a local meeting, Oneida County's Head of Emergency Services referred to the idea of Woodstock at Vernon Downs as a "recipe for disaster." The decision to deny the permit was made by Vernon's town codes officer, according to a WKTV report.

You'll recall that while acts have been paid, no tickets have gone on sale; the event's original financial backer split in May.

Pro tip: If Michael Lang leaves a message asking if he can house-sit, don't call back.