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People fight for refunds after RiSE Festival cancellation

RiSE Festival offering discount next year
Posted at 7:07 AM, Oct 08, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-08 21:45:38-04

The festival that was meant to lift people's spirits has instead left them fighting for refunds. The RiSE Festival was canceled Saturday after storms and lightning were in the area.

Guests were asked to leave the venue early due to safety concerns. 

A statement on their Facebook page said, "We sincerely apologize but our guests safety is our number one priority. We hope to RiSE with you again."

Many people became upset though because their tickets were not refunded unless they purchased the weather insurance.

On Sunday, the organizers of the festival said they would offer a 40 percent discount on next year's tickets for those who are unhappy about the cancelation.

Oceana Sanchez is one of the people who didn't buy insurance. She says she is now out $400 and after this year's event she doesn't plan on going back.

"They get to pocket the money and we get to lose out not only on the money but the memory," Sanchez said.

Sanchez went to the festival with her 5- and 7-year-old daughters in hopes of finding renewed hope after the family spent years dealing with abuse from Sanchez's ex-husband.

"It was definitely a start over for us, but it kind of just pointed us back in the chaos," Sanchez said.

The family, who traveled from San Diego, is just one of the dozens of people who complained on the RiSE Facebook page upset they won't be seeing a dime in return.

There are a few things you can try to possibly receive a refund. Third-party sellers like StubHub have reportedly offered some festival goers refunds. You can also try to make a claim with your bank but will have to wait weeks for a resolution. You may have luck calling the ticket seller and negotiating a refund.

Lawyers say the bottom line is a refund isn't required if the organizers have clearly stated they will not give your money back prior to the event. 

This isn't the first time that there has been trouble at the event. 

In 2014, there was a major issue with transportation and many people were forced to wait hours for a bus or to walk.