MISSION — Organizers of Mission's Rockin' River country music festival say they are saddened by news of the cancellation of MountainFest in Merritt and are offering a one-night freebie to their festival as well as early bird pricing.

"Mountainfest fans who have purchased tickets for the now-cancelled festival will be given free tickets to the Rockin' River Thursday night Kick-Off Party," says Rockin' River organizer Kenny Hess. "We will also honour our early bird price on any other tickets the Mountaifest ticketholders are interested in, for the rest of Rockin' River Music Festival."

The Merritt Mountain Music Festival is not refunding those who purchased tickets for the July 19-22 event but asks customers to request a refund from their credit card companies.

The Rockin' River Kick-Off Party goes Thursday Aug. 9 and features Aaron Pritchett, Karen-Lee Batten, Tyler Whelan, and Brent Lee. Rockin' River Music Festival takes place Aug. 9-11 at Mission Raceway Park (32670 Dyke Rd., Mission) with: Blue Rodeo (Ontario), Randy Bachman (B.C. Gulf Islands), Dwight Yoakam (U.S.), George Canyon (Nova Scotia), One More Girl (Vancouver), Ridley Bent (Vancouver), Aaron Pritchett (Pitt Meadows), The Higgins (Delta), and 2010 Canadian Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year Victoria Banks (Ontario). Also on the bill are Hess (Mission, Abbotsford), Batten (Abbotsford), Lee (Squamish, Mission), Whelan (Alberta), Todd Richards (Harrison), Chris Buck Band (Vancouver), The Matinée (Coquitlam, Vancouver), Shane Chisholm (Alberta) and Stacey McKitrick (B.C.).

Mountainfest ticketholders can call the Rockin' River Hotline at 604-733-2235 or toll-free at 1-877-30-RIVER (74837) to verify their Mountaifest tickets and claim Kick-Off Party tickets.

Rockin' River Music Festival tickets and camping reservations are now available at rockinriverfest.com. Check out rockinriverfest.com, facebook.com/rockinriver, email info@rockinriver.com or call the Rockin' River Hotline for more information.