Governors Ball evacuation leads to stranded attendees trashing artwork

Yesterday morning the ninth annual Governors Ball announced that a severe weather concern was going to cause day 3 of the festival to be delayed. The concern pushed doors back to 6:30 p.m., upsetting fans and causing them to send sun and forecast pics to the festival’s socials.

The event did end opening its doors, only to be evacuated three hours later. Unfortunately, getting a mass amount of people to evacuate an island is no easy task, leaving many attendees stranded in the rain unable to leave the island.

Read more: blink-182 album release date leak shot down by Mark Hoppus

The concern over incoming severe weather had Governors Ball taking to socials asking fans not to come to Randall’s Island Park. The festival later announced an updated schedule of performances after revealing doors would not open until 6:30 p.m. EST.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Governors Ball (@govballnyc) on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Governors Ball (@govballnyc) on

Many fans were upset over the delay, stating that the weather was currently clear and sunny with the severe weather not expected to start until after the gates were set to open.


Gates did end up opening at 6:30 p.m., but three hours later the festival announced they would need to evacuate.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Governors Ball (@govballnyc) on


Fortunately, the festival did announce they would be offering refunds for Sunday while posting the following statement on their website:

“After close consultation with NYC officials and law enforcement, it was deemed necessary to evacuate the site and cancel the Sunday evening of Gov Ball 2019 for the safety of our festival goers, artists, and crew. The safety of everyone always comes first.

All customers who purchased a Sunday ticket and Sunday transportation ticket through the Gov Ball ticketing page will receive a refund directly to the account used to purchase. All customers who purchased a 3-Day Pass and 3-Day Transportation pass directly through the Gov Ball Ticketing page will receive a partial/pro-rated refund directly to the account used to purchase. At this time we expect all refunds to be processed within 21 days.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Governors Ball (@govballnyc) on

Attendees can find info regarding refunds, here.

However, if you’ve ever attended Governors Ball you’re well aware of how difficult it is to get on and off the island. Attendees took to social media to share the “riot” that ensued following the evacuation with many claiming people were dragging the balloon arches and knocking down fences.

According to some festival attendees, some were destroying artwork on their way out of the event.

See more: 30 albums turning 10 in 2019

[envira-gallery id=”197607″]