Latest news with #familyfestival
BBC News
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Fair at Nottingham Riverside Festival site scrapped with days to go
Nottingham's Riverside Festival will no longer take place after the only remaining element, a funfair, was Mellors Group, which was responsible for the fair, has pulled out days before the event which was due to take place along the Victoria Embankment between Friday and comes after the city council, which organised the festival, stripped back the event in 2024, months after the authority effectively declared itself local authority's leader Neghat Khan said the operator's decision was "extremely disappointing". The Riverside Festival was first held in 1973 in previous years was billed "the East Midlands' biggest free family festival".A spokesperson for the Mellors Group said: "We're disappointed not to be bringing our fair to the Riverside Festival site this year, particularly after many successful summers on the Embankment. "However, we remain committed to supporting this much-loved event and are hopeful that, working alongside the city council, we can help bring the Riverside Festival back in 2026, restoring it to the scale and spirit that the people of Nottingham know and love."Khan added: "It is extremely disappointing that the commercial operator has taken the decision to not go ahead with a funfair this year, having delivered an event last year over the usual Riverside Festival weekend."Riverside Festival has not taken place in its full format since 2023 – previously the event cost around £75,000 to stage which included fireworks and the boat race – however we recognise that the event benefits residents across the wider county as well as the city, and regrettably in previous years, the county council chose not to contribute towards the event."We are always open to discussions with any other commercial organisations who may be interested in working with the council in the future to add value for all our residents."
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hot air balloon festival slammed by families – for having no balloons
A family festival promising live music and hot air balloon displays has been criticised by parents online as 'overcrowded' and 'overpriced' with 'overflowing rubbish bins' - as well as lacking any hot air balloons. On its website, the Balloons and Beats Festival promised 'captivating hot air balloon displays', 'electrifying live music' and 'a thrilling celebration of family fun, infectious rhythms and captivating performances'. Before its stops in Platt Fields Park yesterday and Friday (June 27 and 28) it had visited Nottingham and Wrexham, and over the summer will move to Salisbury, Hull, Chepstow and Birkenhead. READ MORE: Friends left stunned at Manchester Airport after landing £24,000 in terminal READ MORE: LIVE: M60 closed for EIGHT HOURS amid fatal horror crash - latest updates Its press release in February was covered by the Manchester Evening News, BBC Manchester and Visit Manchester. Holly Green said she paid £58 for a family ticket (two adults and two children) including parking yesterday (June 28). The M.E.N understands that family entry was later reduced to £22 on the door. 'We love festivals and we liked the idea of a festival in the city,' Holly told the M.E.N. 'It was billed as a great day out with monster truck displays and a kid's zone. It looked very relaxed and romantic in their ads.' But Holly said the event didn't match what had been advertised. 'In reality it was just a noisy and overpriced funfair,' she said. 'We paid so much for entry but were charged £5 for rides on top of that. 'There was a ramp but no monster trucks or BMX displays – and there were no actual balloons, just baskets.' Holly said staff on site told her that the balloon displays were 'weather permitting' and that they 'might' display at sunset. 'But sunset is at 10pm, and the event closes at 11, so who would still be out with their kids then?' she continued. When approached for comment, a spokesperson for the event told the Manchester Evening News: 'The balloon company we used does have permission to fly over Manchester. The balloons were ready, but the wind has to be in a certain direction for the balloons to fly. 'If the wind is more than 10 miles an hour then they can't go up. I understand people may be upset about this, but the tickets are sold saying the display is weather dependent.' Holly continued: 'It was so overcrowded - I was worried what might happen with all these people squashed together.' 'There were very few food and drink vendors and easily a hundred people queueing at each one. We had water with us but if you didn't, you had to queue in the baking hot sun. It was appalling.' The spokesperson for the event said: 'There was a water point at the side of the bar – I filled bottles up for free. There was signage for this so I'm sorry if people didn't see it. 'We did sell cans of water as Manchester City Council do not allow us to use or sell single-use plastic.' 'The event was organised by ticket and there weren't more people than we anticipated. It was just one of our normal, busy events. 'We have a security team who work out the numbers – we only sell the number of tickets that we're licensed for.' Billed as being 'perfect' for music lovers, Holly was expecting to hear local artists. 'It was one little stage with tribute acts – and it was so packed that we couldn't get close enough to listen,' she said. 'There was meant to be a kids' zone but I saw no sign of that – just a 'foam party' but it was just one person spraying people with foam. Holly said she and her family left after 20 minutes. 'We were extremely disappointed,' she said. 'I strongly feel that we were mis-sold and feel that we've been robbed of a sizable chunk of money. I feel horrified to think of all the other working families who also wasted their money.' And she isn't alone in her experience. Comments seen by the Manchester Evening News posted to the Balloons and Beats Facebook page show other complaints. 'Misleading, extremely expensive with rubbish strewn everywhere,' wrote Renae Keegan. 'I paid £19.50 for two hot dogs and three cans of Coke. Hook-a-duck was £5 a go. A small slushie was £6.' 'What an absolute waste of money this was today,' wrote Gill Croft. 'No balloons, no monster trucks, £6.50 for an ice-cream, £5 for a fairground ride. Total rip off.' 'Left after 10 minutes - absolutely rubbish,' wrote Callum Shelmerdine. 'Half the stuff they say there is, isn't even there.' 'Nothing matched the promotional photos,' wrote YC Hung. 'You had to wait more than half an hour just to get a beer. The ground was full of rubbish and no-one was cleaning up. 'It doesn't make sense to have no balloons at a balloon festival,' wrote Alex Pan. 'The images on the website are misleading – worst event I have been [to].' One Reddit user compared it to stories that often crop up over the festive period: "when families [are] upset that the "Winter Wonderland" they were promised turns out to be a derelict carpark in Luton." But not all the comments were negative. "Event was fantastic," wrote Mark Crain. "Acts were really good - never expected balloons because I have a brain and realized it was probably too windy, but overall we had a lovely day The spokesperson for the event continued: 'When the balloons are unavailable, we try to make sure that there is enough on site; we have BMX displays, kids entertainers, characters and tribute acts performing all day. 'We feel that the tribute acts, staging and production alone represents value for money without the children's entertainment, meet and greets and stunt shows. 'We have seen a lot of AI imagery floating around on social media but none of this is from our website. 'We do monster trucks at some of our events but it was never advertised for this event. If it was advertised as such then it may have been a mistake. 'We let trading pitches but we do not set individual trader prices. We make sure we have affordable options available at our own catering units. 'It was a busy event so there will be a lot of rubbish. We have a litter company that clears the site of litter every night and at intervals throughout the day. 'We had around 5,500 people on the site. Unfortunately the ones that were happy don't leave reviews.'
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Parents' fury over three-day 'high octane' family festival they say offered 'less entertainment than a morgue'
Angry parents have demanded refunds after a three-day bank holiday family festival was branded a massive letdown providing 'less entertainment than a morgue'. Complaints and refund demands have poured in to organisers of the 'High Octane Family Fest Weekender' at Ffos Las Racecourse in Trimsaran, south-west Wales. Some attendees said they lasted only 15 or 20 minutes before heading back to their cars and heading home - with one dubbing the event a 'total rip-off' and a 'shambles'. The Northumberland-based company behind the event have issued a request for further feedback online, while blaming bad weather. But many disappointed festival-goers say they are unhappy with the response, while urging those potentially turning up at future events to think again. Criticisms included prices for not only entry but what attractions there were, a shortage of rides and only scant food and drink vans available for refreshments. Robyn Morgan, who went with her family last Saturday, has condemned the event as 'absolutely shocking'. She wrote on social media: 'Please don't waste your money - we lasted 15 minutes.' Disappointed visitors have shared pictures online of what faced them when attending She described the festival as being 'not as described, even today when the weather is nicer'. She outlined what appeared to be on offer as 'one ramp for the BMX bikes', adding: 'Teacups, trampolines, one ride and a crazy maze. One burger van, one sweet stall, one ice cream van, and you can see it all stood in one place. 'Balloon baskets were there but not inflating balloons, a character stitch walking round, no music, no atmosphere.' Ms Morgan added: 'Such a waste of time and wouldn't really keep the kids entertained. They shouldn't be able to get away with advertising this and certainly shouldn't be charging for tickets. 'I've seen more entertainment at a morgue. It is absolutely shocking.' Another attendee on Saturday, who has asked to remain anonymous, told WalesOnline: 'I have just returned from the event today at Ffos Las advertising motorbikes, medieval jousting, giant funfair. It was not as advertised. 'There were three men on BMX bikes - who were pretty good in all honesty - a hot air balloon that didn't go up, five very expensive fairground rides.' She described the 'one burger van and a sweet van' as 'overpriced', while also highlighting the apparent absence of a bar and live music. She added: 'I got super-early bird tickets at £13.45, but some people have paid £30/ticket. I have asked for a refund of my tickets.' The event was held on three days across the bank holiday weekend between 10am and 8pm. Tickets were being sold on Friday in a 'flash sale' for £3 each but adult attendees who bought their tickets earlier in advance are said to have paid between £13 and £30. High Octane Events advertised the festival beforehand as 'unforgettable'. A post on the firm's social media last week said: 'This time next week we'll be putting the finishing touches on a wonderful weekend of hot air ballooning, live music, fairground rides, motorbike shows and more!' High Octane Events has since followed up on Facebook with a statement seeming to address the backlash after the event went ahead. The message stated: 'Thank you for joining us this weekend. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at the Ffos Las event this weekend! We truly appreciate your support and energy, it means everything to the High Octane Events team. 'Unfortunately, the poor weather impacted our schedule and some parts of the show didn't go ahead as planned. The Facebook statement from the company has attracted more criticism in people's replies 'We completely understand that this may have been disappointing for some of you, and we want to sincerely apologise if the experience fell short of expectations. 'If you were unhappy with any part of the event, please don't hesitate to message us directly - we're here to listen and make things right wherever we can. 'Thank you again for being part of the High Octane Events community. We're already working hard to make the next one even better!'
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘Morgues are more entertaining' – ‘Rip off' festival promising ‘high-octane' family fun day slammed as ‘SHAMBLES'
PUNTERS have slammed a family festival as a 'rip off' after it promised 'high octane' fun, with one critic saying 'morgues were more entertaining'. The 'High Octane Family Fest Weekender' was held at Ffos Las Racecourse in Trimsaran, Carmarthenshire, Wales, over the bank holiday weekend. 2 But attendees have been taking to social media to warn others; one said it was a 'shambles' and told others 'do not attend'. Another claimed they lasted '20 minutes max' before deciding to pack it in and return to their car. One said it was a 'total rip-off'. Robyn Morgan and her family went to the event on May 24. She described the event has 'absolutely shocking,' going on to write: 'Please don't waste your money, we lasted 15 minutes.' weather nicer.' She added: "There is one ramp for the BMX bikes. Teacups, trampolines, one ride and a crazy maze. 'One burger van, one sweet stall, one ice cream van, and you can see it all stood in one place. "Balloon baskets were there but not inflating balloons, a character stitch walking round, no music, no atmosphere." She said: "Such a waste of time and wouldn't really keep the kids entertained. Fans slam Glastonbury as 'worst one ever' as full lineup announced 'They shouldn't be able to get away with advertising this and certainly shouldn't be charging for tickets. "I've seen more entertainment at a morgue. It is absolutely shocking." Another attendee on Saturday, who wanted to remain anonymous, told WalesOnline: "I have just returned from the event today at Ffos Las advertising motorbikes, medieval jousting, giant funfair,' adding 'it was not as advertised.' She claimed: "There were three men on BMX bikes - who were pretty good in all honesty - a hot air balloon that didn't go up, five very expensive fairground rides (tea cups, fun house, trampolines, a spinning thing, and two toddler rides). "There was one burger van and a sweet van," which she said were "overpriced" and claimed there was no bar and no live music. "I got super-early bird tickets at £13.45, but some people have paid £30/ticket. I have asked for a refund of my tickets for tomorrow." The event was held across May 24-26, starting at 10am and finishing at 8pm, each day. Organisers held a 'flash sale' on Friday, selling tickets for £3 each but adults who bought their tickets in advance are thought to have paid between £13 and £30 for their entry to the event. High Octane Events had advertised the event as being 'unforgettable'. A post to its social media platforms last week said: "This time next week we'll be putting the finishing touches on a wonderful weekend of hot air ballooning, live music, fairground rides, motorbike shows and more!" The company has now responded to the criticisms with a spokesperson writing on the High Octane Events' Facebook page: "A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at the Ffos Las event this weekend! "We truly appreciate your support and energy, it means everything to the High Octane Events team. "Unfortunately, the poor weather impacted our schedule and some parts of the show didn't go ahead as planned. "We completely understand that this may have been disappointing for some of you, and we want to sincerely apologise if the experience fell short of expectations. "If you were unhappy with any part of the event, please don't hesitate to message us directly - we're here to listen and make things right wherever we can. "Thank you again for being part of the High Octane Events community. We're already working hard to make the next one even better!" The Sun Online has contact High Octane Events for further comment.
