A violent but short shower. That was what was felt on the Awakenings festival grounds, from the announced thunderstorms, hailstones and strong gusts of wind. Nevertheless, the festival organization stands behind the decision to cancel the last day of the festival and send the audience home. “We couldn’t take the risk.”
It was a bitter pill to swallow for the 20,000 festival goers on Sunday: everyone present on the site was summoned to leave for home. And people who had bought a ticket for Sunday only were asked not to come. The result was a large exodus on Sunday morning. And an early end to the Awakenings Summer Festival edition 2023.
“Better this way than the other way around.”
In retrospect you could say that the cancellation was not necessary. But the organization stands behind the decision. “We couldn’t take the risk,” says Tim Boersma of the festival organization. “Better this way than the other way around.”
Since code orange was announced on Saturday evening, the organization has already pulled out the scripts. “Then there was also consultation with the mayor, the Beekse Bergen and the emergency services. The fact that a long-lasting thunderstorm was expected with heavy gusts of wind and large hailstones was ultimately the deciding factor.”
“Ultimately, it’s about safety.”
Meanwhile, the last festival visitors trickle off the grounds. The mood is relaxed and disappointed. “The bad weather only lasted ten minutes,” says a man from Germany. “But yes, it is what it is.” After sheltering from the rain, a Dutch boy would have liked to go onto the terrain for a while. “But we can’t go on it anymore”, it sounds disappointed.
A few boys from Belgium are disappointed, but understand the situation. “It’s a pity, of course, but I get it. Ultimately, it’s about safety, right?”
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