A sudden clap of thunder at a bustling festival can send a ripple of anxiety through the crowd – especially at a family-friendly event where children might be startled. In moments like these, the difference between chaos and calm often comes down to how organisers communicate. Seasoned festival producers have learned that it’s not enough to blast out an emergency alert and hope for the best. Instead, leading events are planning rehearsed weather stories – thoughtful, comforting announcements and visuals that guide attendees through weather delays with reassurance and clear instructions. From local boutique festivals to world-famous events, this narrative approach turns a stressful weather hold into a manageable story that keeps fear down and folks safe until the skies clear.
Weather Holds: A New Normal for Festivals
Outdoor festivals have always been at the mercy of Mother Nature, but climate change is making extreme weather more frequent and unpredictable. Event teams can no longer rely on “typical” seasonal patterns – every festival must be ready for anything from sudden thunderstorms to heatwaves (www.theguardian.com). In recent years, festivals across the globe have experienced abrupt weather holds and evacuations. For example, in one weekend alone in 2016, multiple festivals were evacuated or delayed due to storms – Toronto’s Field Trip was cleared out for lightning, New York’s Governors Ball had to cancel performances, and Germany’s Rock am Ring saw over 70 people injured by a lightning strike (www.cbc.ca). No matter the country or season, smart organisers now plan for weather emergencies as an inevitability.
For family-friendly festivals, these weather surprises carry extra concern. Parents worry about keeping their kids safe and calm, and children can easily get frightened by heavy rain, thunder or the sudden change of plans. The priority is always safety – many large festivals have not hesitated to evacuate or pause shows when conditions turn dangerous (time.com). But how you handle those tense moments in the interim can define your event’s success and reputation. Communication needs to be fast, but it also needs to be friendly and human.
Why Standard Alerts Aren’t Enough
At a typical event, the first sign of trouble is often a generic alert: a loudspeaker announcement (“Attention: Due to weather, please seek shelter immediately”) or a text message blast. While these alerts are crucial for urgency, they can be frighteningly blunt. An abrupt alarm or impersonal message might spark confusion or panic – especially among younger attendees who don’t understand what’s happening. Simply telling a crowd of thousands to rush for cover, without context or reassurance, can create stress and even dangerous crowd movement.
Real-world incidents show the limits of bare-bones alerts. At the 2019 Latitude Festival in the UK, performances were suddenly suspended for about an hour due to lightning risk. Organisers posted updates like “Lightning is the concern, not rain” on social media to explain the delay (www.bbc.com), but some festival-goers on site grew frustrated and confused when they saw clear skies overhead (www.bbc.com). The initial PA announcement hadn’t given much detail, so rumours spread. A few attendees complained, “This is a joke” – not realising that dangerous lightning was still in the vicinity (www.bbc.com). The lesson? Simply announcing a hold isn’t enough; you must also clearly convey why and what’s next to manage expectations.
In an emergency, information (or the lack of it) directly affects crowd behaviour. Research into festival emergencies shows that when something goes wrong, attendees rapidly seek information from any source available – including social media and each other (www.emerald.com). If official channels stay silent or overly terse, speculation and fear fill the gap. A calm narrative from the festival itself can prevent misinformation and keep people focused on safe procedures. In other words, if you don’t actively guide the story of what’s happening, attendees will create their own – and that can lead to panic.
Rehearsed Weather Stories: Keeping Attendees Calm
“Rehearsed weather stories” are a proactive approach to emergency communication. Instead of relying on sirens or robotic announcements, festival organizers prepare a short, scripted storyline to lead the audience through the hold. The goal is to inform everyone about the situation in a calming way – almost like a camp counselor telling a story by the campfire when the rain starts pouring. It’s factual (so people know what to do), but also personable (so they feel looked after).
What does a weather story sound like in practice? Imagine this scenario: “Ladies and gentlemen, may we have your attention please. We’re going to take a short weather timeout. A friendly raincloud has decided to visit our festival! (light laughter ripples through the crowd) For everyone’s safety we need to pause the show for about 20 minutes. Now, here’s what’s happening: our weather team spotted lightning a few miles away, so we’re asking you all to head to the covered areas marked on the big screens. (Staff members in rain ponchos are already guiding people calmly) Don’t worry – the fun isn’t over! In fact, this reminds me of the Amazing Storm of 2019, when we all sang through the rain and made lifelong memories. We’ll have some music and stories for you while we wait this out. Please look after each other, move slowly and calmly, and feel free to grab a hot chocolate from the food tent on your way to shelter. We’ll be back as soon as it’s safe. Rain, rain, go away… and to everyone here, thank you for being the best crowd!”
None of that is off-the-cuff. It’s a rehearsed script (with room for an MC’s personality) that turns a dry announcement into a narrative. Notice how it:
– Addresses the crowd warmly – using a friendly tone and maybe a dash of humour (“a friendly raincloud has decided to visit”).
– Explains the situation and reason – clearly stating that lightning is nearby and safety is why we’re pausing (so people aren’t left guessing).
– Gives instructions and options – telling attendees where to go (e.g., covered areas, tents, or their cars) and what to do (grab ponchos, stay calm, etc.), with visual cues on screens and staff helping out.
– Provides reassurance – using an anecdote (“the Amazing Storm of 2019”) or simply acknowledging that this has happened before and turned out okay. This normalises the delay instead of it feeling like an emergency unknown.
– Keeps it positive – promising that the fun will continue once safe, maybe even suggesting a communal activity (singing a song, getting hot chocolate) to keep spirits up.
– Maintains a clear timeline – if possible, giving an estimate (“about 20 minutes”) or at least committing to regular updates (“we’ll update you in 15 minutes”).
By crafting such stories in advance, you ensure that your team isn’t scrambling for words in a crisis. The messages can be adapted to fit the festival’s style – a kids’ festival MC might tell a simpler, playful story (“Guess what? The festival unicorns are chasing the rain away, so we’re going to play a quick rain game under the big tent!”), whereas a rock festival might opt for a touch of humour and rock ’n’ roll lore (“Hang tight folks – we’re on a little weather intermission. Legend has it that even [famous guitarist] once had to duck out from a lightning bolt at an outdoor gig, and he lived to play another solo!”). In all cases, the storytelling approach humanises the situation.
MCs as Reassuring Storytellers
The role of the MC (Master of Ceremonies) or stage announcer during a weather hold is crucial. This person becomes the voice of the festival in that moment. An MC with a calm, confident demeanor can significantly influence how the crowd reacts. Festival organizers should choose MCs not just for hype and stage introductions, but also train them for emergency communication. In fact, delivering weather delay announcements should be part of the MC’s training and rehearsal before the event.
A great MC-turned-storyteller will:
– Stay calm and upbeat: Attendees will cue off the tone. If the MC sounds panicked, the crowd will panic. If they sound in control and positive, the crowd will breathe easier.
– Use clear and accessible language: Avoid technical jargon or alarmist phrases. For a family audience, this might mean using kid-friendly terms (“We’re going to have a little pause and keep everyone safe and dry, okay?”).
– Interact if possible: If it’s safe for the MC to stay on mic, they can engage the crowd with a short Q&A (“Who here has a good rain joke?”) or lead a simple activity (like a cheering contest between sections of the audience) to keep everyone’s mind occupied. During a heavy downpour at one outdoor concert, the MC famously got the crowd to sing “Singin’ in the Rain” together – turning a dreary wait into a moment of joy. Such spontaneity can lift spirits, but it works best when the MC already has a mental toolkit of these ideas ready to go.
– Coordinate with backstage and authorities: The MC should have a direct line (via radio or in-ear monitor) to the event control centre for real-time updates. That way they can update the audience (“Good news, folks – the storm is passing just north of us. If it stays that way, we’ll be a go in 10 minutes.”). This keeps the narrative trust-worthy; people know they’re not being forgotten.
Remember that not every festival has a dedicated stage MC for each stage, especially smaller ones. In those cases, it might fall to the DJ, the stage manager, or even a band member to relay info. Whoever has the microphone needs to be briefed on the plan. At a multi-stage mega-festival, ideally each stage should have someone ready to communicate, all following the same script so there’s no confusion. Some events also use a single centralized announcer voice (like an emergency broadcast voice over all speaker systems) – if you do that, ensure the voice’s tone is friendly and not like a monotone alarm. A familiar voice (like a local radio host or the festival’s regular MC personality) can be reassuring because attendees will recognise it and feel like “someone we know is guiding us.”
Engaging Visuals and Friendly Animations
Visual communication is as important as verbal communication during a weather hold. Many modern festivals have large LED video screens or projector screens for showing artists, schedules, or sponsor messages. These screens become invaluable when you need to get the word out quickly to thousands of people – and they offer a chance to do so creatively.
Instead of a plain text that says “SEVERE WEATHER – SEEK SHELTER”, consider designing a more welcoming emergency graphic ahead of time. For example:
– A colourful screen image with a mascot or character holding an umbrella, accompanied by a message like “Hold on! We’re taking a short weather break to keep everyone safe and dry. Please make your way to the nearest shelter area.” This not only instructs people, but does so in a gentle tone.
– Friendly animations: If you have animation capability, a short animation loop of, say, cheerful raindrops dancing away, or a sun peeking from behind a cloud, can play in between written instructions. It might seem cutesy, but little touches like this help reduce anxiety, especially for children. The movement on screen also catches people’s attention better than static text.
– Display live updates: You can use screens to show a countdown (“Next update in 10:00 minutes”) or to mirror radar weather updates if that’s not too technical. Some festivals choose to display a simple weather radar graphic or a progress bar for the delay – something visually indicating “we’re in a pause, but here’s how it’s going.”
– Incorporate sound: Pair the visuals with a soothing soundtrack or an upbeat playlist at low volume. Dead silence can actually be unnerving in a large crowd. Playing a familiar, calming song in the background (at a modest volume so announcements can cut through) keeps the mood from nosediving. At a family festival, even playing an appropriate kids’ tune or a Disney singalong for a few minutes could distract and delight the younger attendees while rain drums on the roof.
It’s important that any text on screens is easy to read and possibly multilingual if you have an international audience. Keep it concise and positive. The screens should also reiterate the key instructions (“nearest covered areas: X, Y, Z – see map”) and any safety reminders (“please stay clear of metal structures” etc., if relevant).
Some top festivals are known for their stage production and visuals, and those don’t have to stop entirely during a hold. For example, a festival known for its artistic flair might put up a quirky “weather intermission” graphic consistent with their branding, which keeps the thematic experience alive even during a pause. The idea is to make the interruption feel like a part of the show’s narrative, rather than a complete halt that leaves people anxious.
Guiding Fans to Safety with Clear Information
When a weather delay strikes, one of the most critical pieces of information is where attendees should go (and where they shouldn’t). This is where clear directions and maps come in. People need to know their options for shelter or exit without confusion.
Provide a Map of Covered Options: Ideally, festival-goers should already be aware of the designated shelter areas from pre-event info (for instance, printed in the festival program, shown on a map in the festival app, or explained during opening announcements). But in the heat of the moment, a refresher is needed. Use every channel available to point people to safety – MC announcements, screen visuals, signage, and staff with megaphones if necessary. Highlight permanent structures (buildings, hangars, nearby parking garages) or temporary shelters (large tents, under-stand areas, etc.) that can shield people from lightning, heavy rain, or hail.
A famous example comes from Lollapalooza in Chicago, which occupies a public park. When a severe thunderstorm approached, the organisers evacuated tens of thousands of attendees to designated parking garages that had been pre-arranged as emergency shelters (time.com). Because those locations were decided in advance and clearly communicated (staff directed crowds, and messages went out on screens and the festival’s app), the evacuation went smoothly and safely. Festival producers should take note: always have pre-vetted shelter locations and make sure the crowd knows where to head.
In more rural festival settings (like big camping festivals on farms or deserts), you might instruct attendees to return to their vehicles, since cars can be relatively safe in lightning storms. Events like Bonnaroo in Tennessee or Australia’s big camping festivals follow this model – they’ll alert “all Bonnaroovians, please return to your cars and stay put until we give the all-clear,” leveraging car camping as a safety plan. If that’s your strategy, ensure that roads are managed to avoid traffic jams, and consider having staff patrol parking areas to assist anyone who needs help (for example, family groups without a car immediately accessible might need to go to an emergency tent instead).
For urban festivals or those integrated into city streets, coordinate with local authorities on what buildings can be opened up as shelters if needed – nearby schools, subway stations, etc. Communicate those clearly. The moment a hold is called, update your festival’s mobile app with a push notification that includes a simple map image or list of safe zones. Modern ticketing and event platforms like Ticket Fairy allow organisers to send out rapid SMS or app notifications to all ticket-holders – a very handy feature when you need to reach everyone instantly without relying solely on PA systems.
On-site signage and staff: While digital screens are great, also consider physical signage that may already be in place. Many events have “Emergency Assembly Point” signs or maps at information booths. During a hold, have staff or volunteers at visible positions (wearing distinct rain gear or high-vis vests) actively ushering people: “This way to the nearest shelter tent, folks.” Personal guidance not only moves people along but also provides a reassuring human presence at a potentially stressful time.
One more tip: if there’s lightning, standard guidance is to ask people to avoid tall structures, metal objects, and isolated trees. If your festival has large metal stages or installations, you want people away from those. So your directions might include reminders like “Please move away from the stage structures and into the open or under shelter as directed.” The key is to avoid bottlenecks or people sheltering in an unsafe spot. Good communication designates exactly where to go.
The “Welcome Back” Moment
After the weather threat passes, how you resume the event is an opportunity to create a memorable moment. Rather than abruptly restarting as if nothing happened, savvy festival teams orchestrate a “welcome back” segment that brings everyone back together with a smile.
Think of it as a mini-celebration or a reset button. Here are some ideas:
– MC announcement of all-clear: The MC should officially announce that the hold is over in an upbeat manner. For example: “Great news – the skies are clearing and we’ve been given the all-safe! (cheers) Thank you all for being so patient and positive. We’re excited to kick things off again. Welcome back to the festival!” This acknowledges the crowd’s cooperation and builds excitement for the continuation. It also signals clearly that it’s okay to return to stages or normal activity.
– A theme song or fanfare: Some festivals play a specific song when the show can restart. It could be something iconic like Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” or a track that fits the moment (one festival cheekily blasted The Beatles’ “Here Comes The Sun” as soon as the rain stopped, getting a huge cheer from the crowd). A burst of music or even quick fireworks/confetti (if permitted and safe) can mark the transition back to normalcy.
– “Welcome back” visuals: Update those screens again – maybe show a message like “Thank You for Weathering the Storm! We’re Back ?”. If you had to adjust the schedule (common after a long delay), display the new set times clearly now so everyone knows what to expect.
– Artist engagement: Encourage the next act on stage to acknowledge the moment too. Many artists will do this naturally – e.g., “Wow, you all made it through that rain! Give yourselves a hand!” – but it doesn’t hurt to remind them to thank the crowd. This creates a feeling of solidarity between performers and audience. At large festivals, big-name artists have even done something special post-delay, like adding a surprise song to thank the fans or a DJ dropping an exclusive remix to pump up the energy.
– Safety recap: If any areas remain closed or any new safety info (like muddy areas to avoid) has emerged, mention it in this welcome-back phase. E.g. “The grass in front of Stage B is a bit slippery now, so please be careful – but the party continues!”.
One real example of turning a weather setback into a positive: Movement Festival in Detroit had a nearly four-hour storm evacuation in 2024, which could have killed the vibe entirely. Instead, once the weather cleared, the organizers allowed single-day Sunday ticket holders to come back on Monday for free as a goodwill gesture, and by Monday the stages were packed and crowds were enthusiastic (www.axios.com). While not every festival can extend an extra day, that gesture, combined with upbeat announcements, turned a tough situation into an appreciative crowd. The principle is to make your attendees feel valued for sticking it out.
A “welcome back” moment not only rejuvenates the audience, it also helps your crew psychologically reset. Your staff and volunteers have been through the stress too – hearing the crowd roar in approval when the music resumes is a morale boost for everyone.
Tailoring the Approach to Audience and Scale
Every festival is different, and plans should be tailored to the event’s specific audience, size, and type of programming. A strategy that works for a 500-person local food fair might need modifications for a 50,000-strong international music festival, and vice versa.
Family-Friendly Audiences: In the category of family-friendly festivals (fairs, cultural festivals, kids’ music festivals, etc.), the communication style should account for a mix of adults and children. This means:
– Using extra reassurance and simpler language so that children aren’t alarmed. You might even directly address kids in the announcements: “Hey kids – we’re going to play a little waiting game until the weather gets better. Can you help us by staying with your parents and singing your favourite song for a few minutes?” This gives them something to do and frames it as fun.
– Offering practical help to families. For instance, if you have a family services tent or kids zone, open it up as a shelter and announce that: “Families with young children, you can go hang out in the Kids Zone tent which is nice and dry – our staff will be there with some games.” Parents will deeply appreciate this, and it keeps children in a space designed for them.
– Considering the needs of attendees with disabilities or medical needs. Ensure your safety plan includes moving these guests to a secure area (perhaps an indoor facility or an accessible tent). Mention in your communications if, say, medical tents or accessible areas are available as shelters for those who need it.
– Highlight the community effort: At family events especially, you can appeal to the crowd’s sense of community (“Let’s all look out for one another – if you see someone who needs a hand, give it to them. That’s what this festival family is all about.”). Such messages often resonate well and can spur people to help, like carrying a stroller for a stranger or sharing an umbrella.
Large Music Festivals and Multi-Stage Events: Big festivals with multiple stages face the challenge of disseminating a message widely and consistently. These events should invest in:
– A unified emergency communication system (so that all stages and all areas hear the same instructions at roughly the same time). This might involve cutting the power to stages and overriding with a central announcement or having coordinated stage managers delivering the script in sync.
– Signage at entry points and throughout the grounds that remind people of emergency procedures (so even if someone missed the MC announcement, they might see a big banner that says “Lightning policy: if lightning is within 8 miles, all music will pause and you must seek shelter at these locations…”).
– Staff training at scale: Hundreds of staff and volunteers should be briefed on the weather hold protocol so they can act as on-the-ground guides. They are effectively your ambassadors amid the crowd. If everyone from security guards to food vendors knows the drill (“pause service, help direct people, remain calm and positive”), the attendees will follow that lead.
Different music genres also have different crowd cultures. A metal festival (like Wacken Open Air in Germany) might have a very resilient crowd used to toughing out mud and rain – but even they need clear information when things become unsafe, as seen when W:O:A 2023 had to turn away thousands due to impassable muddy grounds (www.iq-mag.net) (www.iq-mag.net). The organisers there explained the decision transparently and focused on delivering the best show possible for those who were already on-site (www.iq-mag.net), showing respect for the fans’ dedication. On the other hand, an electronic dance festival might have a younger crowd less experienced with festival weather; they might need more guidance and frequent reminders via app notifications in addition to stage announcements.
Cultural and Regional Considerations: In some countries, the public may be more familiar with certain emergency procedures (for example, in tornado-prone regions, people know to look for shelter immediately, whereas in places that rarely have storms, crowds might be slower to react). Tailor your messaging accordingly, and use any commonly understood cues. In Japan, for instance, earthquake or storm safety information is often conveyed extremely orderly – Japanese festival-goers might even expect very formal instructions. In contrast, a beach festival in a tropical country might handle a rain delay more casually but still should not assume everyone knows the drill. Always err on the side of clearly explaining the obvious.
Budget and Resource Adjustments: Smaller festivals might worry that they lack the fancy screens or high-tech apps of big events. But the rehearsed story approach is scalable. Even if it’s just one person with a loudspeaker and a well-thought-out speech at a county fair, that can be far more effective than an automated alarm. Use what you have: a local theatre troupe at a community festival could be enlisted to perform a quick skit about “the rain taking a break” for the kids. Many such creative solutions cost nothing or very little. The key is planning and the willingness to prioritise attendee experience and safety over a strict schedule.
Preparation and Risk Management
The time to decide how to handle a weather emergency is long before the skies darken. Integrating the “weather story” concept into your emergency action plan is a must. Here are some preparation tips drawn from veteran festival producers:
– Write the scripts: Develop a few variations of your weather hold announcement scripts (for different scenarios like lightning, high wind, heat evacuation, etc.). Keep them on-hand in the production office and give copies to key staff (stage managers, MCs, security leads). When everyone knows the planned messaging, it comes out smoothly when needed.
– Practice, practice: It might feel silly, but do a run-through of a weather hold during your staff briefing or rehearsal. For example, have the MC practice delivering the announcement over the sound system (maybe during soundcheck time) and have staff simulate guiding people. This can reveal gaps (e.g., “Oops, we realized the VIP area couldn’t hear the announcement well” – better to fix that now). Musicians and performers can also be briefed on what to do if a hold happens mid-set (most will have experienced it somewhere and will understand to stop playing and calmly exit the stage when signaled).
– Empower your team: Ensure every crew member knows that safety is the top priority – even if it means cutting off a headline act or pausing the revenue-generating parts of the festival. Leadership should convey that message clearly ahead of time. As one festival insurance expert noted, events do not make the decision to evacuate or pause lightly – it’s always about safety first (news.pollstar.com) (news.pollstar.com). Your crew should never be afraid to support a safety hold, and they should trust that management has a plan.
– Technical backups: Consider what happens if the power goes out (a common scenario in storms). Battery-powered bullhorns or backup PA speakers in strategic locations can be lifesavers for communication. If your main stage audio fails, how else will you reach the crowd? Perhaps staff vehicles with PA systems, or even old-fashioned whistle codes for security (some events use specific whistle blasts to get attention).
– Weather monitoring and liaison: Appoint a weather officer or team who monitors forecasts in real time. Many festivals now hire professional meteorologists or use weather alert apps to get advance notice of lightning or storms. This team should know the triggers for action (e.g., “lightning within 8 miles = hold” or “wind gusts over 40 mph = delay main stage”). Once a hold is triggered, they feed information to the MC and production regularly so that updates can be given. During Standon Calling 2021, for instance, a sudden flash flood caught organisers off guard (www.theguardian.com); now festivals try to anticipate such extremes with dedicated weather surveillance.
– Communication channels: Besides on-site announcements, decide how you will communicate to those not immediately at a stage – people in campsites, parking lots, or arriving at gates. Social media is important: quickly post updates on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and even via email/text. Use a unified hashtag so attendees can easily find info (many festivals use something like #FestivalNameWeather or have an official updates account). Keep tone consistent with what’s being said on-site, to avoid confusion.
– Community and local authorities: Coordinate with local police, fire, and medical services on your weather emergency plan. They might provide additional support or have requirements (some cities, for example, mandate events to stop at the first sign of lightning within a certain radius). If the surrounding community has public warning systems (sirens, etc.), integrate that into your plan. And if you have to evacuate off-site, know where you are sending people and inform the community (e.g., if a town hall or school is used as shelter, work that out beforehand with officials).
Finally, once the festival is over, debrief with your team about how any weather incidents were handled. Capture the lessons: maybe the MC’s story was a big hit, or perhaps you learned that more signage was needed on the north side of the venue. Festivals that face weather trouble and handle it well often earn loyalty from attendees – they show that even in adversity, the organisers cared about the experience. For example, when Camp Bestival in the UK had to cancel its final day due to severe winds, the organisers’ heartfelt messaging (“utterly devastated and heartbroken” but stressing safety) (www.bbc.com) and prompt refund policy (www.bbc.com) helped maintain trust with their family-oriented audience. Many parents commented how they appreciated the honesty and concern for attendee well-being.
In contrast, festivals that bungle communications may face backlash. Attendees have long memories when they feel left in danger or in the dark. Avoid becoming an anecdote of “remember that festival where they just left us confused in a storm?” by preparing your weather story and practicing empathetic leadership.
Key Takeaways
- Plan for Weather Holds: Weather delays and evacuations are increasingly common at festivals of all sizes (www.theguardian.com). Incorporate detailed weather contingency plans into your event, including specific communication strategies for holds.
- Communicate Calmly and Clearly: Don’t rely solely on sirens or terse alerts. Use human voices – preferably a trained festival MC – to deliver comforting, informative messages that explain the situation and next steps. A reassuring narrative can prevent panic.
- Engage and Inform Your Audience: Keep attendees occupied and informed during a hold with short stories, humour, singalongs or activities, especially at family-friendly festivals. Display friendly animations and clear instructions on screens to reinforce the MC’s announcements and lighten the mood.
- Guide People to Safety: Always tell your crowd exactly where to go or what shelter options are available. Whether it’s parking garages (time.com), tents, or cars, provide maps and on-site guidance. Use apps and social media for additional real-time updates so no one misses the message.
- Welcome Attendees Back: When it’s safe to resume, mark the moment with a positive “welcome back” announcement or celebratory cue. Thank your attendees for their patience, update them on any schedule changes, and smoothly pick up the event to restore the excitement.
- Tailor to Your Audience: Adjust your approach based on who’s attending (families with kids vs. adults) and your venue type (urban, rural, large, small). One size doesn’t fit all – cultural context and audience demographics matter in how you frame your weather story.
- Prepare Your Team: Train and brief all staff, performers, and vendors on the weather hold procedure. Have scripts and equipment ready, and practice the plan. A well-prepared crew that stays calm will mirror that calm to the public.
- Safety and Empathy First: Above all, prioritise safety and show empathy in your communications. Festival-goers will appreciate honest, caring communication in tough moments. Handle a weather crisis well, and you’ll not only keep everyone safe – you’ll turn a potentially scary experience into a story of togetherness and resilience that attendees will remember for years (for the right reasons).
27th September 2025