The Virginia Department of Health is investigating the Blue Ridge Rock Festival after attendees reported a widespread gastrointestinal illness following the event's abrupt cancellation due to severe weather concerns. Some festivalgoers cited unsanitary conditions, particularly related to portable toilets, as a possible cause. The health department confirmed that the festival violated numerous health codes but none severe enough to shut it down. Speculation has arisen that the cancellation was due to an impending strike by behind-the-scenes workers protesting poor working conditions. Organizers deny these claims and attribute the cancellation solely to safety concerns caused by the weather.
The Blue Ridge Rock Festival has issued a statement to the community, assuring them that they are continually working around the clock to ensure the safety and enjoyment of attendees. The statement comes as crowds gather ahead of storms, highlighting the festival's commitment to weather monitoring and crowd management.
Stagehands working at the Blue Ridge Rock Festival have spoken out about the poor conditions they experienced, including overflowing garbage, filthy facilities, inadequate shelter during a storm evacuation, insufficient water facilities, and parking issues. They also mentioned a lack of necessary equipment and logistical issues. The stagehands claim that the festival organizers realized they had a "hot mess" on their hands and decided to cancel the event due to a combination of severe weather and staffing issues. Attendees are still awaiting information about potential refunds. The stagehands are calling for more accountability in the industry and emphasized that they do this work for the fans.
The Blue Ridge Rock Festival has been found to have violated numerous health standards, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The festival, which took place ahead of a storm, failed to meet the required safety measures, putting attendees at risk.
The County Administrator addresses safety concerns at the Blue Ridge Rock Festival, following the display of a warning message on the stage, emphasizing the need for improved safety measures at the music festival.
The Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Alton, Virginia, experienced widespread damage after a storm, with campground roads and equipment being affected. Attendees faced long wait times, extreme heat, and lack of amenities, leading to heat exhaustion and dehydration. The storm caused further damage to trees, tents, and chairs. Festival organizers have promised partial and full refunds to compensate for the loss of programming.
