BEUNINGEN, Netherlands (VIP-News) — Dutch festival Down the Rabbit Hole will end up with a huge extra bill of 1 mill. euro due to the massive rainfall in the run-up to the festival.
Promoter Bente Bollmann from Mojo estimates the damage will cost between 750,000 to 1 million euro.
"We still do not know the exact costs but it is a huge amount that were spent to keep passable festival grounds and camping sites. "he said.
Due to the massive rain the festival had to be pump out 28,000 cubic meters of water which is three football fields with water up to waist heigh.
Dutch culture minister Jet Bussemaker has announced the creation of a ‘bad weather fund’ (Slecht Weer Fonds) to assist promoters of festivals hit by inclement weather.
The fund, which contains half a million euros, is designed to reimburse the cost of extra expenses incurred by severe weather conditions, and is available to all Dutch music and cultural festivals currently receiving a public subsidy. “Bad weather can spoil festivals, with storm, rain, hail, empty chairs and collapsed tents,” said a statement from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science on Monday. “[This means] visitors [frequently] stay away, so additional measures should be taken to create the appearance of safety.”
Any grant taken from the Slecht Weer Fonds, however, will have to be paid back in full when the festival is in a better financial position. The fund will be administered by the Performing Arts Fund.
