The half -fast parties in Zeeland will not take place this year. More than two weeks before half -fast, the organization draws the plug from the festival for at least this year for various reasons. “This is frustrating because we wanted to make something beautiful out of it,” says Harold van Tiel on behalf of the organization.
He has made the decision for several reasons, including the rising costs. “Everything is becoming more and more expensive. If we have to pass this on in the cards … those are prices that we simply don’t support,” he says.
Among other things, the costs of security have risen, but also the price that the festival must put down for artists. “We no longer look up from five thousand euros for a relatively unknown artist. And you have to do that time fifteen, “refers to Van Tiel to get full of the program.
“Frustrating, because you just want to make something beautiful out of it together.”
Compared to fifteen years ago, when the first edition of the half-fast parties was held, organizing the festival with a good line-up has become increasingly difficult, says Van Tiel.
In addition, the location on the Reekseweg is also under discussion. It is very wet and soggy due to last year’s rainfall. Theft on the festival site of recent years also plays a role. “Everything has been removed. Such as electricity cables and air conditioners. That is frustrating, because you just want to make something beautiful out of it together. ”
Incidentally, it does not mean the end of the festival. Van Tiel hopes that the half -fast parties will return in 2026. “We will look again next year.”