Now three weeks after the ill-fated 2023 version of the Blue Ridge Rock Fest, there proceed to be points associated to the occasion with attendees of the pageant reporting that they skilled gastrointestinal points following the abbreviated music weekend. In consequence, the Virginia Division of Well being has launched an investigation.
In a report from native station WFXR-TV, pageant goer Andy Petite revealed that he had skilled nausea and diarrhea following his attendance on the pageant, whereas noting, “I’m 172 kilos proper now which is 13 kilos lower than I used to be on the age of 13.”
He says that he and three mates had all drank from water stations and all three had allegedly fallen sick afterward. “The signs had been all comparatively the identical,” he stated. He revealed that he was examined for parasites and obtained a prescription for parasitic an infection. Whereas his physician said that he felt he might have been uncovered to giardia, his assessments had been adverse by the point he sought care.
“Nonetheless not sure what the precise prognosis is, so it’s a bit regarding however I used to be cleared to return to work,” he stated. “Yesterday or final evening really was the primary time I used to be cleared to return to work for the reason that pageant.”
As said, the Virginia Division of Well being has launched an investigation. A survey was constructed for attendees that asks whether or not or not they crammed water bottles on the pageant, used handwashing stations or ate vendor meals. It additionally asks whether or not or not any of the attendees went in or close to the native Dan River.
The survey is accessible right here and attendees are requested to share their experiences each whereas attending and after the occasion. The data on the survey shall be saved confidential and no particular person information shall be utilized in any report.
Petit, throughout his chat with WFXR, famous that he camped on the pageant and his account of the situations after Thursday’s storm had been as follows: “The camps, they had been fully soaked and with the porta-potties overflowing with water we had been all actually traipsing round poop,”
Blue Ridge Rock Fest’s Current Assertion
Earlier this week, Blue Ridge Rock Fest officers issued a brand new assertion in regards to the occasions of this yr’s pageant, revealing that additional commentary on “misinformation” can be coming at a later time. They added that they had been “in intensive discussions with our ticketing firm and companions,” urging endurance as extra info relating to a “decision” would change into obtainable.
Blue Ridge Rock Competition Sticking By Climate as Trigger for Cancelation
“We’re regularly working across the clock for you. As one of many few true unbiased entities remaining, and with only one occasion a yr, the method we’re at the moment working by means of does sadly take further time,” the assertion begins.
“Blue Ridge deeply regrets the sudden flip of occasions that led to the pageant’s cancellation. The choice, though troublesome, was taken in collaboration with an emergency administration workforce, comprised of native, county, and state officers, in addition to venue representatives. It was a collective alternative made in the perfect curiosity of everybody’s security, together with attendees, musicians, and campers,” it continues.
“Opposite to some claims, the choice was based mostly solely on security considerations brought on by the climate,” the assertion clarifies as a catch-all relating to a slew of different reported issues. The Virginia Well being Division confirmed they uncovered an unspecified quantity of well being violations and stagehands have come forth with particulars a few menace to strike on Sept. 9 if working situations didn’t enhance.
What Was the Climate Just like the Remainder of That Weekend?
In a TikTok video revealed on Sept. 13, Chris Michaels, meteorologist for southwest Virginia’s WSLS, addresses the climate situations in the course of the days Blue Ridge Rock Competition occurred, in addition to the cancelation total.
“I reached out to the Nationwide Climate Service. They stated they don’t recommend canceling occasions — that is simply not one thing that they do. However they did ship briefings to emergency administration,” he says. Michaels additionally reviewed “archive radar information” from Sept. 9 and 10 surrounding the pageant web site, noting that little to no rain was within the Saturday (Sept. 9) forecast and that solely “scattered showers” had been anticipated on Sunday (Sept. 10). These climate situations, Michaels states, had been “nothing that you would be able to’t play or sit by means of.”
Kerrigan Smith, President of Virginia Worldwide Raceway (VIR – the location the place Blue Ridge Rock Competition was held) informed WDBJ7 that it was the storm that preceded the weekend that in the end resulted within the cancelation and never the forecast for the occasion’s remaining days.
“We’re not speaking in regards to the the situation of if you search for on the sky. We’re speaking in regards to the combination of the consequences of the climate that occurred, folks’s gear broken, tents destroyed. Then, the deterioration of the hearth lanes that we had in these areas to the place we weren’t going to have the ability to both get them out or entry them,” Smith stated.
Nevertheless, in Blue Ridge Rock Competition’s preliminary assertion saying the cancelation of the rest of the occasion, organizers cited on Sept. 9 that the trigger was “resulting from this weekend’s continued extreme climate.”
Blue Ridge Rock Competition Unable to Provide Extra Particulars At This Time
The second half of the assertion stated little or no, thanking followers for his or her “endurance and understanding.”
“Attributable to a mix of inner issues and exterior components, we’re unable to supply extra particulars right now, however we’re trying ahead to doing so. We respect your endurance and understanding and can talk additional info as quickly we’re ready. We do need you to know we hear you and perceive your considerations. We ask in your continued endurance,” the assertion concludes.
Full Assertion From Blue Ridge Rock Competition (Sept. 23, 2023)
The assertion was launched on Blue Ridge Rock Competition’s Fb and Instagram pages, however not X (previously Twitter). The feedback on the Instagram submit have been disabled.
A major quantity of the Fb feedback specific disbelief on the pageant’s declare that climate compelled the cancelation. Over half of the reactions have been met with a laughter emoji.
Blue Ridge Rock Competition has but to handle the problem of refunds.
“We’re working diligently to supply refund particulars and can share that info early this week when enterprise re-opens,” the fest claimed in a submit revealed on Sept. 9, the day of the cancelation.
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