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June 20, 2024

On a Warming Planet, Outdoor Concerts Need a New Safety Playbook

Bloomberg
Climate change is transforming outdoor concerts into high-risk events as extreme weather becomes more frequent. Recent incidents at concerts, including a fatal heatwave in Rio de Janeiro, underscore the urgent need for better preparedness to protect attendees. Read More

A Succession Battle Over America's Largest Ren Faire

The New Yorker
Lance Oppenheim's new HBO docuseries "Ren Faire" explores the succession battle over the Texas Renaissance Festival, run by 86-year-old George Coulam. Featuring eccentric characters and dramatic storytelling, the series highlights the festival's colorful world and Coulam's quest to find a successor amid rising tensions. Read More

See related story: 'Ren Faire' Preview (IMDb)

Raleigh, North Carolina Christmas Parade to Allow Return of Motorized Vehicles Under New Regulations

WRAL-TV
The Raleigh City Council has introduced new safety protocols for the Christmas Parade, allowing motorized vehicles back with stringent requirements. This policy aims to enhance safety following the tragic 2022 accident, ensuring better preparation and accountability for future events. Read More

Music Tourism Is One of the Biggest Travel Trends

Forbes
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is not just breaking records but also boosting tourism across Europe. As fans travel internationally to catch her shows, cities like Zurich are witnessing significant economic benefits, highlighting the powerful impact of music tourism on local economies. Read More

Country Festival Fatigue? Promoters and Bands Take Stock After Some Fests Go Belly Up

Rolling Stone via Yahoo
As some major country music festivals face cancellations, the industry is rethinking its approach. Promoters and bands are now focusing on creating unique, high-quality experiences that go beyond music to attract and retain festival-goers. Read More

2 Killed and 6 Wounded in Shooting During a Juneteenth Celebration in a Round Rock, Texas Park

The Associated Press
A Juneteenth celebration in Round Rock, Texas, turned tragic when a shooting left two dead and six injured, including two children. The incident, stemming from an altercation between two groups, occurred near a vendor area during a concert at Old Settlers Park. Read More

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The Museum Mile Festival Offered Free Entry to New York City Museums

Forbes
The Museum Mile Festival in NYC celebrated its 46th year, offering free admission to museums along Fifth Avenue. Eight museums, including The Met and Guggenheim, hosted special events and activities. The festival aimed to raise awareness and support for NYC's arts scene. Read More

Do You Look Like Ernest Hemingway? There's a Festival for That

Thrillist
Every July, Key West comes alive with Hemingway Days, a festival celebrating the life and legacy of Ernest Hemingway. Highlights include a playful "running of the bulls" with faux bulls, a Hemingway lookalike contest and literary events, capturing the spirit of one of Key West's most famous residents. Read More

Armed With a Big Mission and Even Bigger Bucks, the Bentonville Film Festival Might Be the Fest of the Future

IndieWire
The Bentonville Film Festival, launched by Geena Davis and Trevor Drinkwater, celebrates its 10th year with notable growth, including a new movie theater. As larger festivals face difficulties, Bentonville thrives, promoting diversity in film and significantly impacting the local community with over 85,000 attendees. Read More

Alberta, Canada's Calgary Stampede Welcomes Disney's Immersive Animation Lighting Up Young Minds

Calgary Journal
The Calgary Stampede is featuring a Disney immersive animation exhibit, showcasing 48 films with interactive elements. Partnering with Lighthouse Immersive Studios, the exhibit includes pre-show activities and special effects like bubble machines. The event aims to provide a magical experience for visitors, celebrating 100 years of Disney animation. Read More

Europe's Favorite Festivals Based on Google Searches

Pollstar
Discover which music festivals reign supreme in Europe according to Google searches, with Tomorrowland leading the charge in 46 countries. Dive into the full rankings and uncover the rising stars of the festival scene, capturing the growing interest of music lovers across the continent. Read More

See How Ukraine Celebrated First Pride Parade Since Invasion

CNN
Despite the threat of shelling, Ukraine's LGBTQ+ community held their first Pride march since the war began, showcasing their resilience. This event aimed to differentiate Ukraine from an increasingly intolerant Russia and highlight their commitment to equality and human rights. Read More

Celebrate Culture, Crafts, and Cuisine

Promoted by Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau
Celebrate the 20th Anniversary Laredo International Sister Cities Festival, July 12–14 at Sames Auto Arena! Enjoy a vibrant mercado where more than 200 artisans from all over Mexico will showcase crafts, fashion and delicious MexTex cuisine. Experience the best of two cultures in one place — for free. Be there! Learn More

The 10 Best Festivals to Visit in Germany 2024

Wyandotte Daily
From Oktoberfest's legendary beer tents in Munich to the vibrant jazz rhythms of Hamburg's Elbjazz Festival, Germany's 2024 festival lineup offers something for every taste. Explore the top ten must-visit events, each promising unique cultural experiences and unforgettable memories. Read More

Edinburgh, Scotland International Festival Announces 2024 Opening Event

The Skinny
The Edinburgh International Festival kicks off 2024 with "Where to Begin," an immersive event at George Heriot's School from Aug. 2-4. Featuring live performances, music and storytelling, this event celebrates "Rituals That Unite Us" and marks a new partnership with The Macallan, highlighting Edinburgh's vibrant creative scene. Read More

UK Festivals Look Towards Sustainability Code of Practice

LSi Online
The Vision: 2025 initiative is piloting a Green Events Code of Practice with 10 U.K. local authorities and over 60 festivals to enhance sustainability. This project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 by tackling fossil fuels, single-use plastics and meat consumption, involving cities like Manchester and festivals like WOMEX and Shambala. Read More

Best Walkie Rentals in the Event Industry!

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Music Festivals Are Facing an 'Extinction Event' — Reports From Australia and Ireland Grim

Digital Music News
The global music festival scene is facing a crisis, with many events being canceled due to skyrocketing costs for insurance, artist fees, and logistics. Described as an "extinction event" by Bluesfest director Peter Noble, this financial pressure threatens the survival of smaller festivals, leaving only the biggest tours thriving. Read More

South Africa's Biggest Arts Festival Turns 50 — We Assess Its Impact

The Conversation
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, South Africa's National Arts Festival highlights its significant economic impact, contributing nearly 3% to the GDP and supporting 900,000 jobs. Beyond economics, the festival promotes artistic diversity and social value, fostering community interactions and spotlighting black artists while adapting to future challenges. Read More

Man Who Started Mumbai Firefly Festival Urges State to End It As Tourists Destroying Ecosystem

Hindustan Times
The founder of Maharashtra's Firefly Festival, Rohan Chakravarty, is urging the state to shut down the event due to environmental harm caused by tourists. He emphasizes that the influx of visitors is damaging the fireflies' natural habitat and disrupting their breeding cycles, endangering the species the festival intended to celebrate. Read More

Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City River Festival 2024: Unforgettable and Inspiring Moments

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism via PR Newswire
The Ho Chi Minh City River Festival 2024 features diverse cultural activities, including a recreated Mekong Delta floating market and various water sports events. Highlights include the "Legendary Voyage" musical performance and the closing spectacle with 1,100 drones and a river parade. The festival enhances tourism and showcases the city's vibrant spirit and cultural heritage. Read More

Muslims in Asia Celebrate Eid al-Adha With Sacrifice Festival and Traditional Feast

WVNews
Muslims in Asia celebrated Eid al-Adha with sacrifices, prayers and solidarity for those in Gaza. The festival, marking Prophet Ibrahim’s faith, involved traditional rituals and unique cultural practices across Indonesia, Malaysia, India and Bangladesh. Highlights included communal prayers, festive foods and local customs, emphasizing the spirit of giving and community. Read More

UAE's UNTOLD Dubai Crowned as the Best Festival of the Year by The Middle East Event Awards 2024

EDMNOMAD
The festival's debut edition at Expo City Dubai drew over 185,000 attendees and featured top international artists across various genres. Co-founder Edy Chereji expressed gratitude for the recognition and hinted at an even more spectacular event for 2025. Read More

Ticketmaster Mexico Under Fire for Non-Refundable Festival Clause

TicketNews
Ticketmaster Mexico announced a new clause making festival tickets non-refundable if an artist cancels. The Federal Consumer Protection Agency demanded the policy's removal within 48 hours, citing potential violations of consumer protection laws. Festivalgoers are frustrated, especially travelers, as the policy denies refunds even if major artists cancel last-minute. Read More

Barclays Suspends Sponsorship of Live Nation UK Music Festivals After Protests

Middle East Monitor
This decision affects major U.K. festivals like Latitude and Download. The move follows artist withdrawals and activism at Barclays' shareholders' meeting, pushing the bank to reconsider its support for events linked to defense sector investments. Read More

California State Fair to Be Nation's First to Allow Weed Sales and Consumption

The Hill
This groundbreaking move aims to destigmatize cannabis use and strengthen the connection between consumers and the farmers who cultivate these products with care. Read More

Northern Wisconsin State Fair Officials Share Bag Policy Information

WEAU-TV
To ensure safety and streamline entry, the Northern Wisconsin State Fair has introduced a new bag policy for 2024. Attendees must use clear bags or small clutches, adhering to specified size limits, to comply with the updated security measures. Read More

Minnesota State Fair Ending Program That Commissioned Local Artists to Design Its Annual Posters

Twin Cities Pioneer Press
After two decades of commissioning local artists for its commemorative posters, the Minnesota State Fair has decided to create its designs in-house. The program, which connected the fair with the arts community, faced logistical and storage challenges, prompting the change. Read More

Ohio's County, Independent Fairs Getting $10M

The Center Square
As fair season begins in Ohio, $10 million in state funds will help upgrade fairgrounds across 94 county and independent fairs. The grants will enhance safety and accessibility, ensuring that these beloved local events continue to thrive and serve their communities. Read More

The Olympics Are More Than Fun and Games. They're a Billion-Dollar Business With Political Overtones

The Associated Press
The Paris Olympics will feature about 10,500 athletes from 200 countries, highlighting the event's significant economic and geopolitical impact. Generating billions for the International Olympic Committee, the Games also serve as a stage for international influence and competition. This year's Olympics continue to underscore the IOC's business model, which heavily relies on broadcast rights and sponsorships. Read More

Paris, France Gets Into the Groove for Historic Olympic Opening Ceremony, Adapted to Its Iconic Cityscape

The Associated Press
The Paris Olympics are set to make history with an unprecedented opening ceremony along the River Seine, featuring a dazzling mix of dance styles under the artistic direction of Thomas Jolly. As preparations reach their final stages, dancers from diverse backgrounds rehearse intensely to deliver a high-energy performance that promises to captivate a global audience. Read More

See related story: Boats Cruise the Seine River in a Rehearsal for the Paris, France Olympics' Opening Ceremony (The Associated Press)

Cue the Duck Boats! Massachusetts' Boston Celtics 2024 NBA Championship Parade Details

The Patriot Ledger
Boston is set to celebrate the Celtics' record-breaking 18th NBA title with a duck boat parade, announced by Mayor Michelle Wu. With over a million fans expected and potential thunderstorms forecasted, the city urges attendees to stay hydrated and use sunscreen. Read More

FIFA 2026 World Cup Schedule Released; First Base Camps Detailed

SportsTravel
FIFA has unveiled the 2026 World Cup schedule and initial base camps, including nine U.S. cities not hosting games. The 48 teams will use these camps as hubs for their first three matches. The expanded schedule includes match details and knockout round locations for the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Read More

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