Key Takeaways:
- The Rhythm and Vines music festival in Gisborne, New Zealand, got off to a soggy start due to heavy rain, with the city’s airport MetService station recording its wettest December day since 1937.
- Festivalgoers were advised to dress for the conditions, but some attendees felt that the organizers could have communicated better about the weather and provided more warnings.
- The rain caused muddy conditions and slipping hazards, particularly around toilets, water fountains, and high-traffic areas, with some attendees expressing concerns about the risk of injury.
- The festival director, Kieran Spillane, stated that the grounds were holding up well and that the weather was expected to clear up, with a pleasant 25-26 degrees and no rain forecast for the remainder of the festival.
- The rain was good for business at The Warehouse, a local store that hired extra staff and prepared stock for the festival nine months in advance, including rain gear and other essentials.
Introduction to the Festival
The Rhythm and Vines music festival in Gisborne, New Zealand, got off to a soggy start, with thousands of festivalgoers braving the heavy rain on the first day. The city’s airport MetService station recorded its wettest December day since 1937, with attendees turning up in gumboots and ponchos to navigate the muddy conditions. Despite the rain, the festival was expected to continue for the next two days, with a gentle breeze forecast to help dry up the grounds.
Attendee Experiences
Lucy Parkinson, a festival attendee who was at the event for the second time, was disappointed by the rain, having been put off by the previous year’s muddy experience. She had equipped herself with a gazebo, gumboots, and a decent tent, but still felt that the rain was insufficiently prepared for. Parkinson expressed concerns about the slipping risks, particularly around toilets, water fountains, and high-traffic areas, and felt that the organizers could have communicated better about the weather and provided more warnings. She suggested that the grounds were in dire need of wood chips to reduce the slipping hazards and prevent injuries.
Organizer Response
Festival director Kieran Spillane stated that the organizers had alerted festivalgoers to the possible weather conditions and had asked people to dress accordingly. He also mentioned that more wood chips were being laid out to reduce slipping risks, and that the grounds were holding up well despite the rain. Spillane was confident that the weather would clear up, with a pleasant 25-26 degrees and no rain forecast for the remainder of the festival. He emphasized that the organizers had prepared for the rain and that the sites were in as good condition as could be expected.
Impact on Local Businesses
The rain was good for business at The Warehouse, a local store that hired extra staff and prepared stock for the festival nine months in advance. Store manager Brett Mitchell said that the festival season was their busiest time of the year, and that the rain had brought in a lot of customers looking for ponchos, tents, and towels. The store had also hired a local cleaning company to help keep the store tidy and public toilets clean during the festival. Despite the rain, Mitchell was optimistic about the rest of the festival, with plenty of stock available for attendees to enjoy the sunshine and beach activities once the weather cleared up.
Weather Forecast and Festival Outlook
With the weather set to clear, festivalgoers can expect a pleasant and dry experience for the remainder of the event. The forecast suggests that the grounds will dry up quickly, and the organizers are confident that the festival will continue without any major issues. The rain may have been a setback, but it has not dampened the spirits of the attendees, who are looking forward to enjoying the music, food, and activities on offer. As the festival continues, it is likely that the focus will shift from the weather to the entertainment and atmosphere, with attendees making the most of their time at Rhythm and Vines.