Families slam 'absolute farce' as Geronimo family festival cancelled for second year running

Families have slammed the cancellation of a family festival as 'an absolute farce'. Geronimo was supposed to take place at Arley Hall in Cheshire this August, but has now been called off with organisers blaming poor ticket sales.

It had already been postponed from May 2023, when that event was cancelled, with organiser Simon Goldman blaming 'current economic conditions', including 'spiralling costs' to stage the event and 'the significant squeeze' on disposable household income.

This year he says because the weather has been so uncertain, it's put people off booking and 'has just made the festival unsustainable in its current format'. In the future he says he wants to look at moving the event indoors, so the wet weather isn't a factor.

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But for now, hundreds of families have been left disappointed, with some complaining that they're out of pocket as booking fees won't be refunded.

"Every year there's something," said Samantha Duffy, responding to the announcement on Geronimo's Facebook page.

"No surprise there. Absolute farce," added Steve Carpenter. He was one of the ticket holders who spoke to us when last year's event was cancelled, criticising the fact he was given a face value ticket for this August when he wanted a refund.

Geronimo says that tickets will be refunded this time. In a statement, it says: "With a heavy heart, we announce that Geronimo Children’s Festival is no more and our scheduled event on 23rd-26th August 2024 has been cancelled. We thank all those involved in it, the directors, staff and artists who all put their hearts and soul into the event.

"The great British weather is not always kind and with a huge percentage of festival-goers holding off booking until the last week, the event has become an unsustainable financial risk.

"Ticketline will arrange the face value refund of all valid tickets (including those rolled over from previous years). Please note we have no access to ticketholder details and are unable to assist with refunds directly. All ticket enquiries should be addressed to customerservices@ticketline.co.uk or call 0161 813 2222.

"Thank you to all the families, performers and suppliers who made Geronimo Festival a magical experience for so many children over the last decade. We hope you will cherish the memories of your time in our festival fields and wish everyone a wonderful summer."

Other parents have taken to social media to share their disappointment over the cancelled event. One of them, Helen Clintworth, said: "Aww so sorry to hear this we had an amazing time there 2 years ago and we're so looking forward to going again."

The event first took place at Tatton Park back in 2015, featuring stars of CBeebies and CITV, but over recent years it moved to Arley Hall. This isn't the first time that Mr Goldman has faced criticism.

In 2018, he put his company Geronimo Festivals UK Ltd into voluntary liquidation, when some artists and performers who worked at the festival had still not been paid.

He then set up a new company, Geronimo Events Ltd, and carried on with the festival, as well as launching a Winter Funland event at EventCity in Trafford, a move which sparked further anger from those owed money.

Explaining his decision to cancel this year's event, he told the Manchester Evening News: "Whilst we are basking in glorious sunshine, nobody could’ve predicted this two weeks ago. The weather had become so uncertain, especially around bank holidays, causing the public to hold off until the very last minute to buy tickets for outdoor events. This has just made the festival unsustainable in its current format.

"As a firm family favourite with such a huge diverse amount of entertainment we are looking into the possibility of hosting Geronimo indoors which makes the event weatherproof, similar to Insomnia58 which takes place at a the NEC.

"Wishing all the staff and entertainers who have made Geronimo a firm family favourite a restful summer holidays from the team at Geronimo."