Four days after severe weather cancelled the Symphony in the Flint Hills signature event, organization leadership held a press conference to address questions and concerns in the aftermath.
Symphony in the Flint Hills Board Chair Mike Stout and outgoing Director Christy Davis conducted the conference which served as both a time of update and clarification. For the first time in its 14 year history, the signature event was called off after a microburst blew through the event area of Irma’s Pasture in Bazaar in the early morning hours of Saturday, the day the event was meant to be held. The microburst damaged four of the major event tents “tearing them to shreds” according to Davis.
Davis says the decision to cancel the event was not taken lightly and they are expecting the cancellation to have financial repercussions for the organization.
Earlier this week it was stated tickets are non-refundable for the event. Davis acknowledges this may have caused disappointment for those planning to attend, however, the organization is offering opportunities to make amends.
Davis adds the decision to cancel the event was also made with the safety of their vendors, performers, staff and patrons in mind. She says the decision to cancel became even more heartbreaking as it also led to the cancellation of special programming for the event’s Ad Astra theme and the culmination of a three-year-long arts initiative known as Jump!Star. This included education programming, the premiere of music by Jherek Bischoff, a first-ever prairie performance of the Osage Ballet and other “artistic surprises.”
Stout shares the disappointment and took time to offer apologies for the cancellation saying “we’re sorry.” However, he says this will not stop the organization from moving forward.
Cleanup is still ongoing at the site of the event. For additional information contact Symphony in the Flinthills at 620-273-8955 or visit symphonyintheflinthills.org. To listen to the press conference in its entirety click here.
Photos courtesy of Symphony in the Flint Hills and Flint Hills Media Project
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