The fate of the ill-fated Himos Winterfest is clear.
The Himos Winterfest held in Jämsa last month got into a huge uproar due to the problems that occurred at the event. The event, which was characterized as a disaster festival on social media, caused the public’s emotions to heat up. The crowd came from canceled and interrupted gigs, failed security arrangements and cold VIP tents.
Now an event organizer Kim Riuttamäki tells Iltalehte that he has decided to stop organizing the event. He will be replaced by another entity, to be announced later.
– It is known that the event will be organized next year as well. I have thought about my responsibility, mistakes in the arrangements and how to ensure that the event will be successful next year, says Riuttamäki.
– If this year’s Winterfests saw incredible artist shows, a new event area, a sauna viewing area, a helicopter and one of Finland’s most versatile pyro shows, then compared to next year’s plans, these are small things, he enthuses.
However, he himself does not want to continue as an event organizer.
– I believe that a more experienced organizer will be able to better ensure the functionality of basic things in addition to special programs next year. At this point, we have to admit that the event has grown too big for an inexperienced event organizer!
Kim Riuttamäki will no longer continue as the organizer of Himos Winterfest. Arttu Laitala
Numerous challenges
Riuttamäki previously told Iltalehti how some of the festival’s problems were challenges independent of the event organizer, while some were due to poor organization.
– On Friday it was due to our scheduling and arrangements, and on Saturday the electricity and the sleet brought challenges. They are not things we can control. However Sannin the cancellation is our fault, he commented in March.
Riuttamäki was unable to pay the advance payment for Sanni’s gig, so the gig was cancelled. He named the lack of staff as another big problem.
– The number of volunteers was too large compared to the amount of paid labor. Some of the registered volunteers did not show up, which caused a shortage of personnel, he said at the time and admitted that he had not prepared well enough for the loss of employees.
The event organizer of Himos Winterfest will move to the side, but the festival will be seen next year as well. HENRI JUVONEN
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