For the first time in its 14-year history, the Symphony in the Flint Hills has been canceled.
The site, Irma’s Pasture near Bazaar, was hard-hit by strong thunderstorms early Saturday. Several tents with 65-mph capacity were destroyed by high winds, and event organizers made the decision late Saturday afternoon to cancel altogether instead of follow through with plans laid out earlier in the day to postpone to Sunday.
Organizers call the decision difficult but in line with the Symphony in the Flint Hills mission to both heighten appreciation and knowledge of the tallgrass prairie and protect it. A news release says organizers cannot safely host the event because of the Saturday morning damage and the risk of additional severe weather Saturday night. It also says organizers do not want to put lives in danger by holding the event as originally scheduled.
The event sold out Friday. It typically brings around 5,000 people from around the world to the event site along with as many as 700 volunteers, plus site leaders and vendors. Tickets are not refundable.
