HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WENY) -- The iMatter festival is returning to Horseheads after a two-year hiatus and a few new changes. The long-running music festival in Chemung County aims to bring awareness to mental health issues, and let people know they're not alone. Festival director Adam Bunce said he is already preparing for this summer. 

“We got the word out about it about an hour ago to the public that iMatter festival will be back on July 30, 2022,” he said.  

The music festival has drawn thousands year after year. Organizers are looking forward to bringing it back once again, but this year brings along a few changes. 

“We were not permitted to hold the festival outdoors this year so it's going to be held indoors at The L, which is our venue,” he said. “There's obviously some capacity restraints, there's going to be some changes to the years past, but we felt like it was better to run it at a smaller scale here at the venue than to not run at all.” 

Bunce said iMatter is important, because it brings the topic of mental health to the forefront. The music festival is also a way for people to connect again after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He said it’s a perfect way for people to step away from the stresses of the world.  

"We don't ask for anything in return. It's a free festival...we just want to give people a day off, a day to relax, a day to see their friends, to hug, give people high fives, and not worry about the stresses of the world for one day,” he said. 

This will be the festival’s 15th year. Bunce is excited to have been a part of the festival because it holds a special place in his heart. 

“It's back,” he said. “It just seems surreal to be talking about iMatter...this is something...it absolutely killed me to not run it the last two years and I'm just ecstatic that we're able to...even if it's on a smaller scale...we're back.” 

A lineup of bands for this year's event will be released in May. Click this link to find out more information about how you can get your ticket for the festival that will be taking place July 30, 2022 at The L in Horseheads.  The L is located at 116 Breesport Road.