Some ticket holders say they are outraged after a music festival abruptly changed venues, giving short notice to visitors who traveled from far and wide to attend the concert.
The Kultureland Festival was scheduled to take place at the Markham Fairgrounds on Sunday, but quickly switched venues to Ajax Downs Racetrack just as the gates were about to open in Markham at 4 p.m.
The festival celebrates Afrofusion and R&B music. Their first day was at Markham yesterday, but ticket holders were asked to drive to Ajax on Sunday following a last-minute announcement.
This created logistical problems for ticket holders, who complained about the various issues plaguing the festival this year.
Kultureland organizers said in a tweet Sunday afternoon that some artists were unable to perform. The announcement was made less than an hour before showtime, with several artists in the lineup dropping out without notice, including headliner Jhene Aiko.
CBC Toronto attempted to contact organizers via social media and did not receive a response. CBC Toronto also asked to speak to event organizers at Ajax and was told they would not be doing an interview or commenting.
“It’s really unfortunate for the people who came here from far away,” Nangoh Sarrah Traore said. “We weren’t updated until the last minute.”
Traore was one of several ticket holders who arrived at the Markham fairgrounds to find them empty, with security guards informing those arriving that the festival had been moved to Ajax and would start two hours later.
“We spent a lot of money for the event, so we will go,” Traore added.
At Ajax Downs, a cluttered parking lot with ticket holders queuing up was the stage as the festival tents were hurriedly erected for the show to begin.
But that did little to encourage ticket holders, who had also learned that some performers had cancelled.
“We planned the whole weekend around the festival,” said Sarina Perera. “I’m disappointed, it’s been a long day and a lot of money.”
Perera said Sunday’s festival was due to start at noon but was delayed until 4pm, before being moved to Ajax and postponed again at 6pm.
“We paid for a whole day, but now it’s only 6 to 11,” said Perera. “It’s very disorganized.”
Ticket holders arrived at Ajax Downs Racecourse to line up for the start of the festival, saying they had experienced issues with start times and artist cancellations, as well as the change of last minute place. (CBC)
Some ticket holders questioned whether or not they would even bother with the festival next year after paying so much money.
Beheshta Morad, who eventually arrived in Ajax with his friends to attend the festival, said they spent $374 in total. He added that there were also delays and cancellations on the first day of the festival on Saturday.
Those who paid for VIP tickets, like Morad, were mixed in with general tickets, rendering their ticket upgrade useless.
“I feel ripped off, they promised all these people would come and they tell us at short notice they won’t come,” she said.
There were no ticket refunds either.
“All ticket sales are final. There are no refunds or ticket transfers,” the festival’s website states.
ALIGNMENT UPDATE.
We still have the remaining lineup ready for a great night.✨ pic.twitter.com/LWkAp7GMbs
— @KulturelandFest