Despite the warning from the CFA, the festival has not been formally cancelled.
Drama has engulfed a festival going ahead in extreme fire conditions near bushland in western Victoria this weekend, despite fire authorities warning patrons to stay away.
Concerned loved ones and angry would-be attendees slammed the mixed messaging from organisers on social media on Saturday, who cautioned attendees to “follow CFA advice” and stay away from the festival, but did not cancel the event.that the festival site was in an area under extreme fire danger warning: “The CFA recommends that the safest option for those who are already on site is to leave the site tonight or early in the morning.
The statement said patrons already on-site who “wish” to leave and didn’t have their own vehicle could get a free shuttle to Ararat station until 6pm Saturday. Melbourne man Aaron Smith said his 19-year-old daughter left the city for the festival early on Friday morning. “It’s really confusing because it’s inconsistent and it’s impossible to square the advice of not to come with not cancelling the event,” he said.