Full Refunds For Cancelled Taste Events
Following weather-related cancellations of the City Hall All-White Ball and the Tasting Village, the City of Hamilton said they are “working with PTix to provide full refunds to all patrons who purchased tickets or tokens for the events.”
A spokesperson said, “Initially, the City decided on Friday to proceed with Saturday’s dining experience, as forecasts indicated a potential break in the weather during the event. However, as conditions worsened, we were ultimately left with no choice but to cancel both the Saturday dinner and Sunday’s Tasting Village to prioritize everyone’s safety.
“The City understands the disappointment this has caused, particularly for those who dedicated so much effort to preparing for the events but the risks presented by the weather required us to act with the safety of our vendors, attendees, and staff as our top priority. Refunds will be processed by PTix in the coming days.
“To support our Tasting Village vendors, the City is offering them an opportunity to sell their prepared items on the lawn of City Hall, free of charge throughout the week. Vendors can set up from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and/or on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The City hopes this initiative will help vendors recoup any projected losses and provide exposure despite the cancellations. All vendors have been notified and are encouraged to take part.
“Additionally, any unused food from Saturday’s planned events will be donated to the charity HOME, which supports Bermuda’s homeless community. We extend our thanks to Hamilton Princess & Beach Club for their collaboration in this charitable effort.”
Jessica Astwood, Director of Marketing and Communications for the City of Hamilton, explained the seasonal timing of the Taste of Bermuda weekend: “We scheduled the event for October based on public feedback that holding it earlier in the year was too hot for outdoor activities. Unfortunately, the high winds and rain made it unsafe to tent the events or move them indoors without significantly compromising the overall experience. Additionally, we are mandated to keep our events within the City, and there was no venue large enough or with the required infrastructure to accommodate the number of attendees without significantly increasing the cost of tickets.”
Ms. Astwood emphasized that the decision was made in close consultation with all partners and stakeholders: “This decision was not made in isolation, and it certainly wasn’t made lightly. The safety of everyone involved was our top concern. While we explored various options, it wasn’t feasible to relocate the event or proceed under the given weather conditions.”
A spokesperson added, “Despite the cancellations, other Taste of Bermuda events earlier in the weekend, including Thursday’s kick-off at Cambridge Beaches and Friday’s Art of the Pour bartender competition at Bacardi Headquarters, were extremely successful. Both events were sold out and offered unique, first-class experiences that set them apart from anything else on offer in Bermuda. Guests were treated to unforgettable moments, showcasing the creativity and excellence that Taste of Bermuda is known for.
“The City is proud to work with local and international partners to make these world-class events accessible to the Bermuda public.
“The City is grateful for the continued support of our partners, including Mastercard, our lead sponsor, along with Bacardi Limited, Exclusive Group of Companies, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, Burrows Lightbourne Ltd., and Barritt’s.
“The City remains committed to delivering bespoke, memorable events and looks forward to announcing future experiences. We appreciate the public’s understanding and support during this time.”
why cant you have the event at pier6 upstairs and down and the car park
with the train taking people from city hall to front street free