Australia’s Strawberry Fields Canceled Following La Nina Flooding
” First there were bushfires. Then came a pandemic and now La Nina. “
Festivalgoers arrive for the Glastonbury festival at the Worthy Farm site, Somerset, where heavy rain over a prolonged period has caused isolated flooding and muddy fields.
PA Images/Sipa USA
La Nina has destroyed Australia’s Strawberry Fields festival.
After numerous set-backs and postponements, first due to bushfires, then the pandemic, flood waters have ruined the 2022 edition.
The outdoor event featured international acts such as The Pharcyde and Kamaal Williams, as well as DJ Python and a DJ set by Massive Attack’s Daddy G. It was scheduled to take places over the weekend of October. 28-30.
Mother Nature has other plans.
The event was held in Tocumwal, New South Wales, for more than a decade. However, severe weather conditions have made it impossible to host.
“Oh the joys of the past three years,” reads a statement from organizers. “First there was a pandemic, then bushfires and now La Nina seems like an unwelcome guest at the house party that we can’t get off the couch .”
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The statement continues: “We are absolutely devastated that we have to cancel Strawberry this October because of flooding .”
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The now-nixed October event was to be the second Strawberry Fields of the year, as organizers made up for a lost 2021 show, which was initially postponed and reshaped as a two-weekend program in March and April of 2022.
The Murray River, “which is normally the star attraction of our beloved festival,” continues the statement. “Has experienced unprecedented flooding .”
“Meters underwater” is the current situation for entertainment and critical access areas. Expert advice suggests that the situation could only get worse .”
Laughter is the best medicine. The directors of Strawberry Fields decided to go for the funny bone by sharing a joke about their sinking show.
“Trust us,” they add, “while the idea of throwing the first music festival accessible only by houseboat, personal snorkelling, or flotation device was tempting we decided that Australia isn’t ready .”
Strawberry Fields is the latest in a long line of NSW festivals whose sites have been impacted by floodwaters, a list that includes the Splendour in the Grass and Bluesfest, both of which went ahead.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology recently shared the weather forecast no one wanted to hear – that the La Nina weather event is well underway for the third consecutive year, bringing wet, windy summers, well into 2023.
I have been writing professionally for over 20 years and have a deep understanding of the psychological and emotional elements that affect people. I’m an experienced ghostwriter and editor, as well as an award-winning author of five novels.
