Both organizations cannot cope with the cabinet’s decision to allow a maximum of 750 visitors for festivals without a fixed seat. “With such a number we will not be able to get it financially,” says chairman Mark Nijenbanning of Sweelpop in Zweeloo. The oldest pop festival in Drenthe is scheduled for August 20.
‘We don’t want to disappoint more than 2000 visitors’
Pearl Village Festival & Weijdepop, on 27, 28 and 29 August in Dalen, is facing the same problem. ,,We normally have 3000 visitors on Friday and Saturday evening”, says co-organizer Jory Bosch. ,, It has been considered for a while to admit the first 750 ticket buyers. But that is almost impossible. On the first day of ticket sales, 1500 tickets were already gone. Moreover, we do not want to disappoint more than 2000 visitors.”
Pearl Village is without overnight stay. Multi-day festivals with overnight stays had already been canceled earlier.
summary proceedings
The fact that both festivals are not completely off the track is because there is still hope that the policy will be changed again. Festival organization ID&T, together with other festivals, is considering whether or not to proceed with the summary proceedings against the government. The stakes are significantly more visitors than 750.
Jory Bosch of Pearl Village: ,,We are all allowed to travel together and enter the football stadium. Then it is remarkable that a festival like ours is not allowed. Just about everyone has now had the chance to get the first shot. Last year, young people were especially not allowed to pose a risk to the unvaccinated elderly. But they have all had a second shot, if they haven’t refused. We feel like we are constantly being led on. What will be the new requirement for a festival in the future? A third shot?”
Quickly more clarity about Sweelpop and Pearl Village
Sweelpop may make the decision at the end of this week, if there is more clarity from the summary proceedings. Pearl Village may wait until August 13, if a new corona press conference is planned.
There is also good news from festival land, because Schoonebeek Deathfest on September 4 will continue as usual. ,,We have set the capacity to 750 visitors and thus comply with the rules for an outdoor event”, says organizer Maik Reuvers. The underground death metal festival reports that there are not many tickets available anymore due to less capacity.
Pull days will continue this month
Events such as the Pulledagen in Hoogeveen will also take place this month. In July, the fair was canceled due to the explosive increase in the number of corona reports. Due to the recent decline and the taking of extra measures, the organization now dares to take it. Thursday is the first Pulledag.
Preuvenement Assen, the opening of the cultural and culinary season, will also take place as planned on August 28 and 29.
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