Awakenings forced to cancel Sunday of summer festival due to severe weather conditions
Severe thunderstorms and strong gusts of wind were forecast in the area housing the festival site
Amsterdam's Awakenings festival was forced to cancel its final day this past weekend due to severe weather conditions.
The decision to call off the festivities on Sunday (9th July) came at 11:30 AM, amid weather forecasts from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute of severe thunderstorms, strong gusts of wind and large hail (measuring 2-4 cm) in the area housing the festival site. The festival cited the danger of "large hailstones, lightning strikes, falling trees and flying objects" as reasons for the cancellation.
The festival's statement added: "This decision is made with a heavy heart, but it has become necessary due to severe weather conditions heading our way later today. Our utmost concern is ensuring your safety on site, and under these circumstances, we cannot guarantee this."
Awakenings said it would reach out to those who had purchased tickets for the final day of the festival with solutions for them not being able to attend, while food and drink was provided to those who already at the campsite having attended the previous two days of the event.
An update shared at 06:30 PM on 9th July via Awakenings' website said: "We are grateful to report that everyone is out of harm's way. The most severe part of the storm has subsided. We remain pleased with our decision, as we cannot take any risks when it comes to the safety and well-being of our visitors."
This line-up for this year's edition of Awakenings featured the likes of Patrick Mason, FJAAK, SPFDJ, Richie Hawtin, Karenn (Live), Seth Troxler, and many more. Sets scheduled to take place on Sunday, including Chloé Caillet, Adiel, Shinedoe b2b Hemka, Robert Hood Amelie Lens and Honey Dijon, were all cancelled.
This year's Awakenings saw the introduction of a low-stimulus space for visitors with disabilities.
